by Peter Scherer

It’s been a tough season for Mickleover Reserves so far, with a number of the Academy players having joined the first team squad.

The team were boosted however by the addition of former Rams and Forest striker Marcus Tudgay, playing up front with his son Mason, as we faced Wirksworth Ivanhoe.

Starting line-up: 1-Josh Maher 2-Mason Hoult 3-Liam Carter 4-Harry Atwal 5-Jared Cholerton 6-Zak Sandhu 7-Josh Carter 8-Toby Smith 9-Marcus Tudgay  12-Josh Powell 11-Mason Tudgay. Subs: Luis Mas-Hall, Dayo Llio, Jessie Otoo, Ellis King, Josh Bull.

It was cold but dry and for the first 10 minutes it was very even, with the visitors earning the first corner after nine minutes.

Only a minute later Powell brought the ball through on the left into a crowded box, where Tudgay Senior got the touch and buried in the bottom right-hand corner, 1-0.

Wirksworth didn’t have a shot on goal until the 14^th minute, but it was an easy catch for Maher in the Mickleover goal, before Liam Carter dispossessed a defender, layed it back for Marcus Tudgay, whose shot was just wide of the left-hand post.

It was Marcus again firing in another shot just past the left-hand post after 19 minutes from a Powell cross that kept the pressure on the visitors, before Powell went close himself following a run from Smith.

Mason Tudgay was next to try his luck, running in from the right after 27 minutes, he let fly after splitting the defence, only to hit the bar, before Powell collected the rebound and shot just wide.

Liam Carter had a run down the left, but his cross was headed away and found his way blocked with a similar attack a few minutes later.

Wirksworth tested Maher 39 minutes in, but it was a fairly routine stop from Sports keeper, before Liam Carter and Powell had a nice one two with a couple of minutes left in the second half, before Marcus T’s follow up shot was blocked, as it remained 1-0.

It was the visitors that came out fighting initially as the second half got under way, but a 46^th minute shot was straight at Maher.

The pressure was repelled and barely five minutes later Mickleover were threatening again. Powell shot from the left and was just wide, but after 50 minutes he tried again and this time made it 2-0.

Wirksworth had a corner and Maher tipped another shot over the bar after 55 minutes. But two minutes later he was beaten, when the visitors made it 2-1 from close range.

For a few minutes the pressure was back on for Sports youngsters, with the visitors earning three consecutive corners, before the danger was cleared.

The Wirksworth tackling had become rather more aggressive as they tried to fight their way out of their own half and seek and equaliser, but 70 minutes in and a nice lay-off from Marcus Tudgay, set Powell up for goal number three and his second, 3-1.

Mas-Hall came on for Mason Tudgay for the last 10 minutes, but it was almost four for Mickleover, when Powell’s shot was blocked after a cross from the right.

The keeper then whipped the ball from Marcus Tudgay’s head, before Liam Carter had a shot cleared off the line. Smith then saw a shot whistle past the post, before Carter made way for Llio for the final five minutes.

In the 90^th minute Mas-Hall made it four, straight from a corner and only a minute later Powell completed his hattrick to make the final score 5-1.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover Reserves faced Newark based RHP Sports in the Abacus Lighting Floodlit Cup and came away 7-2 victors after a Sam Tomlinson hattrick.

Starting line-up: 1-Josh Bull 2-Silas Donker 3-Brandon Ferron 4-Toby Smith 5-Jared Cholerton 6-Zak Sandhu 7-Mason Tudgay 8-Louis Pennington 9-Fin Ryder 11-Josh Powell 12-Sam Tomlinson, Subs: Will Trueman, Sam Johnson, Hamza Konane, Joe Sellors, Josh Maher.

It was unusual start to the game to say the least, being 1-1 after just three minutes. Firstly the visiting keeper was caught well off his line and left Tomlinson with a chip into the empty net, 1-0. But barely had we kicked off again and Donker lost out down the right and as the ball came in the defence froze and it was 1-1 with Bull rooted for the close range shot.

Mickleover continued to play the short pass and push forward game, which won a fifth minute corner, before Tomlinson had another shot just wide after nine minutes.

A minute later Sports had a free kick, which was put just wide by Pennington, but a nice long ball from Sandhu set Tomlinson on another run 16 minutes in, but it was just a little too long.

But there was another shock in store for the Mickleover youngsters, when another play down the right saw Donker outpaced, and with Cholerton wrong footed too, it was an easy strike to make it 1-2.

Possession wise Mickleover had the edge and as Sandhu continued to play some telling long balls out of defence, Powell and Tudgay worked hard crossfield, with Pennington and Smith supporting.

Ryder was almost through again after 23 minutes but was blocked before he could shoot, but two minutes later we were back on even terms as Powell latched onto a break and chipped the keeper once again, 2-2.

Another four minutes, another goal. Tudgay had worked hard to keep possession on the right and got his cross in to find Ferron totally unmarked, and with time and precision it was 3-2.

Both Ryder and Tomlinson were causing havoc for the visitors defence, who began to argue among themselves, aiding by a voiciferous manager from the touchline.

On the half hour Ryder had jinked his way to within a couple of feet of the goal line before he was blocked and then Tomlinson cut in from the left but shot just over.

Another Ryder run found Pennington in the middle, but his curling shot after 35 minutes had the keeper beaten, before it bounced off the left-hand post.

Smith then tried his luck with a strong run until the ball got away from him, but it was all Mickleover for the final 10 minutes of the first half.

Ryder found Tomlinson in the middle, but a miskick saw the ball run out, but Tomlinson then had more shots, with one straight at the keeper and a second over the bar.

Two minutes left on the clock but there was time for two more goals, A lovely ball from Ryder on the right set up Tomlinson for number four and then Smith charged through the defence to set up a Tomlinson hattrick.

Having already scored three, Tomlinson almost got his fourth, but a late rally from the visiting defence kept it at 5-2 as the half time whistle blew.

As the teams came out for the second half, Trueman was on for Donker, his first game back after his pre-season foot injury.

It wasn’t long before there was another goal though, as Ferron outpaced the defence on the left. His shot was saved, but both Powell and Tudgay were poised to collect the rebound, with Powell hitting his second, 6-2 after 49 minutes.

There were a couple of breaks from RHP but fairly easily coped with by Cholerton and Sandhu, but after 53 minutes Powell was crudely challenged and was replaced by Konane.

Pennington’s following free kick was saved, but Tomlinson went close again two minutes later, running onto a long ball, it was intercepted again at the last minute.

RHP had another chance after 57 minutes, it almost had Bull beaten, but he took control at the second attempt. A minute later they had another shot but well wide of the target.

Ferron’s pace on the left and Tudgay through the middle took advantage of the visitors flagging defence, and Tudgay had another shot on the hour, saved by the keeper.

64 minutes and sub Konane had the ball, saw the keeper off his line yet again and it was 7-2. He was nearly in for his second too only three minutes later, but the outrushing keeper just beat him to the ball.

Just after Bull had made another save from a random shot, the RHP keeper was lucky to stay on the pitch. He raced out of goal to the right wing and flattened the Mickleover striker, he then turned on the same player and became abusive to both player and referee, receiving a yellow card.

There was almost an eighth goal after 80 minutes, but the keeper managed to save it, before Sports made a double substitution, with Sellors and Johnson on for Tomlinson and Tudgay.

Ferron went close again after 83 minutes and Smith was unlucky when his 85^th minute effort was touched onto the bar by the keeper.

There were so many late chances for another late goal, but it remained 7-2 and we now look forward to the next round.

by Dave Mackenzie

On a great day for football, no wind and a little rain to add some zip to the pace of the ball the reserves welcomed a resurgent Teversal to the Don Amott.

Starting 11: Maher, Hoult, Smith, Chollerton, Sellors, Atwall, Pennington, Liam Carter, Powell, Mas-Hall and Tudgay. After 2 unexpected defeats and 4 players away with the first team changes were made and we welcomed back Louis Pennington in midfield.

A brisk start was asked for and that is what was served up with Pennington and Atwall pulling the strings with Smith and Chollerton solid at the back the reserves took early control of the game. This allowed foraging runs by Hoult on the right and penetrating dribbles from Powell on the left as they started to find their range with a rasping shot from Powell only 10 foot over.

The first goal was not long in coming with good link up play from Atwall and Hoult that set Carter free. He showed great composure outpacing the defender and drawing the keeper out before rolling the ball into the net – a very good goal.

Like any good team when you get the first that is just that – you go for a second and it came from a delightful strike from young (they all are) Mason Tudgay whose shot went high across the keeper from about 18 yards at the corner of the box.

Teversal were also playing their part but they were confined to some long range shots which Maher handled well.

A third was on the cards and again it came from Liam Carter again showing great composure and that you don’t need to burst the net. He placed his shot carefully out of the reach of the keeper and 3-0 it was.

After a delay for an injured Teversal player they actually had a couple of good chances to get one back but lady luck was on our side for a change.

The message was “more of the same please” however Teversal came out the blocks with all guns blazing and the pressure that was applied just before the intermission was applied again. The aforementioned lady (Luck) was still on our side as the Teversal #9 (I think squandered a virtual tap in by blasting the ball hide wide and ugly.

The game settled down for a bit but Teversal continued to press and the pressure paid off with a couple of goals after some slack play they got one back and then a second.Atwall brought a great save out from a free kick which would have sealed the 3 points and the introduction of Donker up front gave us a bit more physicality.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover Reserves secured their first away points of the season, with victory a 3-1 win at Linby Colliery last Saturday.

Starting line-up: Josh Maher, Mason Hoult, Brandon Ferron, Harry Atwal, Jared Cholerton, Zach Sandu, Josh Powell, Bobby Battisson, Kai Moore, Sam Tomlinson, Fin Ryder. Subs: Josh Bull, Joe Sellors, Toby Smith, Mason Tudgay.

Having gone 0-1 down after just three minutes, when Ibrahim scored from the penalty spot, Mickleover came fighting back to equalise through Moore after just nine minutes later.

It was still 1-1 as the half time whistle blew, but the Mickleover youthful enthusiasm and skills came to the fore as the second half got underway.

Although the home side tested the Mickleover defence, wasted chances proved decisive, as second half strikes from sub Tudgay and Tomlinson, secured al three points for Sports youngsters, who are away again next Saturday at AFC Normanton.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover Reserves faced South Normanton Athletic last Friday and once again there were plenty of goals.

Starting line-up: Jim Polard, Mason Hoult, Jared Cholerton, Brandon Ferron, Joe Bateman, Bobby Battisson, George Atwal, Fin Ryder, Kai Moore, Josh Powell. Subs: Toby Smith, Sam Tomlinson.

Mickleover had gone one up after Moore scored on his comeback, but the visitors were back on equal terms when Parfitt found the net. 1-1.

But Sports push paid dividends when Moore hit his second to send them in at half time 2-1 up.

Parfitt had got his second too 2-2, but after Tomlinson came on as a second half sub, he gave Mickleover the lead again and three points seemed to be edging nearer 3-2.

But McTighe got in on the act too, so his late equaliser sent South Normanton home with a late point secured at 3-3.

Mickleover are now 10^th in the table and now face a trip to Melbourne Dynamo on Saturday.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover Reserves were at home again for their second league match in four days, as they faced Arnold Town.

Starting line-up: Josh Maher, Toby Smith, Brandon Ferron, Harry Atwal, Jared Cholerton, Zak Sandhu, Dean Ironmonger, George Atwal, Fin Ryder, Bobby Battisson, Josh Powell. Subs: Mason Hoult, Mason Tudgay, Silas Donker, Will Coffen, Luis Mas-Hall, Jayden Cozens.

It started badly for Sports youngsters, when the defence seemed to freeze as the visitors striker found a gap in the middle and made it 0-1.

Following a corner four minutes later, there was little resistance again in the box, and it was 0-2 to Arnold.

Mickleover looked somewhat shell shocked and it took a while for them to get into the game, with Smith losing possession on the right, Cholerton managed to intercept an Arnold break.

Sports first real attempt came after 13 minutes when Ferron made a run down the left, finding Harry Atwal, whose shot was blocked.

As confidence began to be restored a 15^th minute corner fell to Ironmonger, but he couldn’t get control and it then fell to Cholerton. He couldn’t get a shot in either, but third time lucky Ryder had his attempt blocked.

Powell had a shot saved two minutes later after a jinking Battisson run and with Mickleover pressing hard, Powell cut inside again from the left, his shot was saved as was his rebound, earning another corner.

The Arnold defence was being kept in retreat and after 19 minutes Mickleover got their reward, when Ferron cut inside and ran through the middle to outpace the defence, making it 1-2.

The momentum was all Mickleover at this point, as Battisson again tore through the middle, cut inside to set up Powell, but the 21^st minute shot was wide of the right-hand post.

Three minutes later a George Atwal free kick was just outside the right-hand post too, before another Ferron run saw him lose possession in the box, as he was about to shoot. The following corner then fell to Ryder and his shot was just over the bar too.

Some nice interplay between Ferron and Powell ended with a lob into the visiting keeper’s hands, but Powell should have tucked away a 29^th minute chance, after a lovely ball from Smith on the right, but it was wide again.

Arnold managed a random shot wide of the target just after the half hour, but the game took another twist after 34 minutes as the ball arrived in the middle of the box. The home defence failed to react to the danger and it was 1-3.

Despite being two goals down, Mickleover continued to have the run of play. Battisson found Powell, but he couldn’t get a shot in, leaving Harry Atwal to follow up but just wide. Battisson then had his own effort saved after 38 minutes, before Ryder fired over.

George Atwal had another free kick but this one went straight to the keeper, before a fine solo run from Ryder saw his shot slightly deflected before the keeper made his save.

With half time approaching Harry Atwal just missed connecting with a cross from the right, before Battisson tested the keeper again. Finally a crossfield ball from Smith found Ferron in space, he had the defence beaten, but once again the keeper saved the day.

So it was 1-3 half time in a game that maybe should have been 4-3, but there was more drama to come.

Three minutes into the second half and it was 2-3, when the ball fell nicely for Harry Atwal in the box, beating the keeper close in.

But Arnold were still trying to push forward and tried an ambitious lob four minutes later, to no avail.

Powell then battled through to find Harry Atwal again, who picked out brother George in space, but the deflected shot was just wide.

Battisson’s 51^st minute attempt was just wide too, but earned a corner and then Powell had a good try saved by the impressive keeper.

The Arnold defence were taking a battering as fitness levels began to show, Mickleover were doing everything but score, but in 66^th minute Ryder met Ferron’s cross and it was 3-3.

Five minutes later there was a hold up as the referee went off injured, as Mickleover sub Cozens took over on the line.

Maher had to come to the home defence rescue after 73 minutes, diving at a strikers feet, but Mickleover were now going for the win.

Battisson was brutally fouled, but George Atwal’s free kick was too high and then Ferron pulled back a nice cross from the byline, but no one was on the receiving end.

79 minutes and Tudgay came on for Powell, but there were shouts for a penalty after 86 minutes, when Ryder appeared to be held on the ground by a defender. There was no penalty, but he was down long enough to secure a pin fall.

With two minutes of normal time left Harry Atwal’s effort bounced off the top of the bar from another Ferron cross, before an Atwal Tudgay one-two saw the keeper smother a good effort from Tudgay.

It was into injury time with the whistle almost poised, Battisson fed Ryder. Heading straight at the keeper, his shot bounced off the advancing stopper.

But in a final scramble in the box Battisson and the Arnold keeper were in close proximity.  So close the shot bounced off the keeper and hit Battisson again, rebounding into the net 4-3 in a dramatic finale.

by Dave Mackenzie

Just over 16 hours after putting up a terrific performance against Derby County’s Youth (mainly U21 and some 18’s), the reserves took to the field against a Derby Singh team that had made some excellent additions during the close season.

Old MFC players like Yakeef Murphy, Muzari and Tyler Yohal all played a prominent part  whilst Alex Steadman turned up with his right ankle in a cast!

Sports starting 11 was Josh Maher, Mason Hoult, Silas Donker, Jared Cholerton and Zak Sandhu – defending. Toby Smith, Harry Atwal and Fin Ryder occupied the midfield and up front with Hamza was Dean Ironmonger and Josh Powell.

The game started at a good pace and Mickleover were showing little fatigue by controlling the midfield and defence.

Powell was looking lively and it was from his cross from a deep position that had the defender in two minds running back towards his goal. We didn’t care as he chose the wrong mind, steering a header over the advancing goalkeeper to give Mickleover a well deserved lead. 1-0.

Singh Bros had some talented and experienced players in their ranks and began to take the upper hand with some good quality passing and the right winger proving a handful for Zak.

They scored with a well worked goal which should have been prevented, but the previous nights endeavours started to take their toll, not just physically but mentally. 1-1.

The lads did well to get to the turn with no more damage as the half finished bang on 45 minutes.

The second half started just like the first with Mickleover in ascendency but Singh Bros held firm. After 60 minutes the legs of some players were going and Will Coffen and Sam Johnson came on for Harry A and Josh P.

Another foul stopped the play wide on our right and Ryder put in a great delivery between the players and the goal which was met by the rising Ironmonger who powered a great header into the net.

Could the lads hold out? Other fresh legs were needed and Dean(the leap) Ironmonger and Hamza made way for Ellis King and Hayden Simpson. The lads that came on were being asked to play out of position but were asked to give us some much needed energy.

With about five minutes left a Singh cross from the right bounced up near the back post and as the trajectory was upwards, the header from the Singh player went even higher over the bar. Amazingly the linesman who was at the far side gave a penalty, whilst the ref who was about 12 yards away pointed for a goal kick before changing his decision. The spot kick was well struck, skelping the outside of the post and away to safety. Could the lads hold out?

Sadly from a free kick on the left a Singh player snuck in at the back and scored. The scorer definitely evaded a defender as he was on his own but surely he couldn’t have been offside. 2-2

That was not a good goal to lose and on reflection a draw would have been a fair result.

When we had played about three minutes over, the ref. claimed that there was still seven minutes to play. On hearing this you could see the players react in disbelief. Our final change saw Josh Bull (keeper) replacing Mason H.

Singh continued to press and Josh Maher saved well from a header pushing the ball around the post to safety but from the corner the taker was able to drive into the box and finished well to give his team the three points. 2-3’

Congratulations to DSB for another excellent game, however where the time extension came from nobody bar one person knew.

by Dave Mackenzie

Hot on the heels of the enthralling encounter with AFC Mackworth, we welcomed Stapleford Town to the Don Amott Arena.

Against Mackworth the lads showed great tenacity, high skill levels and courage to overcome Derby’s top Sunday League outfit by the odd goal in eleven!

Stapleford play their football in the Nottinghamshire Senior Premier Division and they topped their table, losing only two games during the season.

To give a measure of their success they finished 31 points clear of Borrowash Vics and 14 points ahead of Keyworth Utd in second place.

Starting line-up: 1-Josh Bull 2-Will Coffen 3-Brandon Ferron 4-Tony Smith 5-Silas Donker 6-Harry Atwal 7-Sam Tomlinson 8 – Fin Ryder 9-Luis Mas-Hall 10- Josh Powell 11-Mason Tudgay. Subs: Owen Slater, Hamza Konane, Liam Carter, Sam Johnson, Josh Maher.

The conditions couldn’t have been more contrasting. Gone were the monsoon rains of Wednesday evening, being replaced by intermittent cloud and sunny spells.

Holidays meant there were three changes, with Will Coffen, Silas Donker and Luis Mas-Hall starting. Stapleford had a nucleus of experience and from the start you could see they would provide a stern test for the young reserve side.

It was however Mickleover that started well with strong defending from Silas and Toby aided by good work in midfield from Fin R and Josh P.

Sam Tomlinson was showing well and from a powerful run he beat the full back and he got away his shot before the keeper could set himself. 1-0.

Stapleford got themselves back in the game when a good cross found a Stapleford player unmarked at the back post. The goal was well taken with a calm side foot back across the keeper. 1-1.

What followed was a goal of great quality. The ball was played down the left to Mason Tugay who spotted Brandon Ferron  moving forwards down the left. Although the pass was good Brandon still had work to do, cutting inside taking out two defenders. The ball was then on his standing foot, but Brandon didn’t panic as he stroked the ball into the corner of the net. 2-1.

That ended the scoring as Stapleford gave away a gilt-edged opportunity by skying a penalty high and not very handsome.

The half time interval gave Leigh Parr the chance to explain the importance of some of the players’ positions in maintaining a good shape to the team and moving across the pitch in relation to an attack.

The Gaffer was also able to highlight a couple of areas where the team could improve out of possession.

The team reacted well to the half time coaching and put in a controlled second half that saw them restrict Stapleford to long balls, which the defence, including the introduction of Owen Slater dealt with well.

The third goal showed the effectiveness of a long pass. After some interchanges between Toby S and Fin R, Fin hit a lovely diagonal which found Liam Carter running into the box on the angle. Liam’s first touch took out the defender and his second placed the ball under the advancing keeper to seal the game. Great goal.3-1.

Overall another very positive performance against a competitive Stapleford team. The lads have shown that they are taking on board instruction and benefitting from the structure and coaching provided by Leigh Parr and Steve Powell.

by Peter Scherer

There was no shortage of goals as Mickleover Reserves visited AFC Mackworth for a pre-season friendly last night. Sports youngsters finally ran out 6-5 victors with Sam Tomlinson hitting TWO.

Starting line-up: 1-Josh Bull 2-Mason Hoult 3-Brandon Ferron 4-Toby Smith 5-Zac Sandhu 6-Harry Atwal 7-Sam Tomlinson 8-Fin Ryder 9-Dean Ironmonger 10-Josh Powell 11-Mason Tudgay. Subs: Josh Maher, Luis Mas-Hall, Will Coffen, Owen Slater, Liam Carter, Silas Donker.

It was wet and miserable as the game kicked off, but Mickleover almost scored from the kick off, with Powell and Tudgay combining to earn a corner.

The opening goal came after seven minutes when Powell fed Tomlinson, who sent a belting shot into the back of the net, 1-0. Only two minutes Tomlinson tested the keeper again, but his chip was taken fairly easily.

Ferron and Hoult were starting to attack down the wings and after 10 minutes it was a long run from Ferron with a crossfield ball, that was just too long for the chasing Tomlinson.

Mackworth’s first chance came when Sandhu slipped on the wet grass, the hosts number nine collected but Bull saved his effort initially, before a rebound made it 1-1, 11 minutes in.

Ironmonger had a chance three minutes later from a Tomlinson cross, before another Tomlinson cross set up Ryder, whose shot was blocked.

Bull had to palm away another Mackworth strike, before Ferron’s attempt on a charge ended with a crude foul. It was Sports on top though and 23 minutes down and it was 2-1, after Tomlinson again cut in front the right, giving Tudgay a tap in.

Atwal was controlling the central midfield, with the eagerness of Powell and Tudgay strong on the left and Tomlinson dominating the right wing, but Tomlinson nearly hit a second, firing just over on the half hour.

But Mackworth were proving determined opposition and when Bull was spotted off his line, a speculative lob made it 2-2. They went close again a minute later with a long shot just off target.

Both sides were trying random long shots, but with two minutes of the first half to go, Tomlinson jinked through the defence with a fine solo effort to make it 3-2 and then went close again with the whistle poised.

A number of subs came on for the second half, with rain still falling heavily. Ryder had the first shot of the second half, before Ironmonger made it 4-2 following a 48^th minute corner.

Tomlinson continued to cause havoc, but after 55 minutes it was 4-3, after Bull failed to hold the slippery ball.

Sandhu then joined the scorers as the ball fell nicely from at Atwal free kick 5-3. But the two goal only lasted for six minutes, after chaos in defence made it 5-4.

It was another slip from keeper Bull that made it 5-5 with 15 minutes left, which seemed to spur on Mackworth for the final push.

But with two minutes left Mickleover sub Slater sealed it at 6-5 with a solo run down the middle.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover Reserves will once again be playing in the Central Midlands League Premier Division South this season, after finishing eighth last season.

The number of teams will be back up to 18, an increase of two from 22/23, with Division One West Champions Melbourne Dynamo joining us, along with runners up Mayfield, Division One East Champions AFC Normanton and Bakewell Town, who were eighth in last years Division One North.

Leaving the division are Clay Cross, promoted as Champions and Ashland Rovers relegated.

The fixtures and date of the opening round of matches is yet to be announced.