by Peter Scherer

Despite having dominated much of the game, Mickleover Reserves finished on the wrong end of a 1-0 scoreline against local rivals Graham St.Prims, in their Central Midlands Alliance game at the Don Amott Arena.

Starting line-up: 1-Josh Bull 2-Mason Hoult 3-Elliott Riches 4-Hary Atwal 5-Jared Cholerton 6-Toby Smith 7-Liam Carter 8-Hamza Konane 9-Josh Powell 10-Josh Carter 11-Luke Thompson, Subs: Silas Donker, Mikey Mandimitsura, Brodie Carter, Ted Stevenson. Marats Sudavs.

In a lively start it was the visitors that had the first shot of the game, just wide of the right-hand post after three minutes. Sports soon retaliated as Liam Carter led a break, but he took a knock as his path was blocked.

Four minutes later Prims fired in a dangerous cross from the right, but the striker couldn’t quite connect and earned a corner. That led to another corner on the other side, which ended with a shot well wide of the goal.

Although Mickleover were looking to attack, they had been losing out in midfield, but at the back Atwal and Cholerton looked solid, allowing Hoult and Riches to push forward on the wings.

Konane had just started a good run after 13 minutes, but he was fouled on the halfway line and then again seconds later on the right wing.

Liam Carter saw a chance a few minutes later, but he just lost out in the chase for the ball, to Prims advancing keeper, before the two collided and treatment was required again.

Liam and Josh Carter then combined for a short corner, before Thompson’s powerful shot brought the first of a number of good saves from the visitors keeper.

18 minutes in and Cholerton cut off a Prims break, before Liam Carter was fouled again on the right wing as Mickleover broke. 

It was one on one after 22 minutes when Thompson was fractionally beaten to the ball by Prims keeper again, but the visitors then got another break too. Having fought through the home defence after picking up a loose ball, the final shot failed to trouble Bull in the Mickleover goal.

Josh Carter then broke too, but his shot was just wide of the left-hand post.

After Thompson had been fouled Josh Carter lined up for the free kick, he beat the wall but it was wide of the left-hand post too.

The pressure was beginning to build on the visitors, with Riches on a lengthy run before a late interception ended his hopes of a shot.

Smith gave away a free kick in the halfway line on the half hour, but Mickleover were soon attacking with Liam Carter cutting in from the right again, but his shot was the wrong side of the post. But Riches made sure the ball was back in Prims box, but the defence had it covered, before they broke too, and their hurried shot was well over the bar.

During another intense spell for Sports, Hoult put two dangerous crosses into the box from the right, and Josh Carter went close again.

The chances for Mickleover had become fairly thick and fast but it was still 0-0, but after 41 minutes it looked almost certain to change. But a fantastic double reflex save at point blank range, once again thwarted the Mickleover attack.

44 minutes and the keeper saved them again, somehow managing to block Thompson’s close range shot, before Smith found Josh Carter, he found the net but was deemed offside.

In time added on the deadlock was broken not but in the direction expected. Prims made the most of a defensive slip in the left corner and initially Bull saved the first shot, diving down at his near post. But the ball was loose again and the visitors made no mistake at the second attempt. 0-1, with the half time whistle quickly following.

Thompson went close to the equaliser, after getting on the end of a Powell pass after 49 minutes, but it was deflected for a corner. Hoult then put the ball back into the box and Josh Carter almost got to the ball, but the keeper managed to intercept.

There was another diving save from the Prims keeper three minutes later, but Liam Carter followed up, but this time his shot was straight at the keeper.

Thompson fired over after 54 minutes and Josh Carter had another shot saved, but the Prims defence somehow continued to prove impenetrable.

Their had been few opportunities for the visitors to increase their lead, but they had a shot over the bar too after a goalmouth scramble just before the hour mark.

The attacks continued in Mickleover’s favour, with Hoult cutting in from the right to fire over, before Sports made their first change with Stevenson on for Konane.

Thompson had another shot over 74 minutes in, before some nice interplay between Smith, Thompson and Riches ended when the ball ran loose and became an easy pickup for the keeper.

Time was running out, but almost everyone was joining in the attacks. Smith crossed from the right found Josh Carter, but his deft touch went straight into the keepers hands, before Carter and Powell combined in the 84^th minute, thwarted again by the keeper.

Smith was busy on both wings and for the final four minutes Brodie Carter came on for Thompson. But in time added on there was one last chance to snatch a point, when the ball fell to Stevenson in the middle, but the sub couldn’t connect and it was game over with the unluckiest of defeats.

by Peter Scherer

It was action all the way as Melbourne Dynamo visited Mickleover in the Central Midlands Alliance League. Despite a Josh Carter hattrick, Sports couldn’t hold on for the win, conceding two late goals to make it 4-4.

Starting line-up: 1-Josh Bull 2-Mason Hoult 3-Brad Brittan 4-Harry Atwal 5-Silas Donker 6-Chris Palmer 7-Toby Smith 8-Hamza Konane 9-Josh Carter 10-Josh Powell 11-Liam Carter. Subs: Josh Maher, Brodie Carter, Ted Stevenson, Marats Sudavs.

Melbourne broke through the home defence after two mins and hit the bar, but Sports saw off the initial pressure, to send Powell clear, until he was stopped with a late interception.

Palmer put a curling free kick over the bar too a few minutes later, but it was end to end stuff, with Atwal and Donker both busy keeping the visiting strikers at bay.

11 minutes in and the visitors tested keeper Bull, who parried a long shot from the left, after they had made positive moves from their own half.

But Liam Carter had started to torment the Melbourne defence, firstly with a cross from the left to earn a corner after 15 minutes. His second run saw him outpace two defenders, before setting up brother Josh, who neatly slotted the ball past the keeper, 1-0.

Only two minutes after the goal celebrations it was back to 1-1. Following a Melbourne corner, the ball fell nicely for Macaulley Jones, who fired in the equaliser to Bull’s right from just outside the box.

Mickleover went close again after 21 minutes, when a Palmer free kick landed nicely for Josh Carter, but his shot was saved by the keepers feet. Just two minutes later Liam was brought down in the box. It was a clear penalty, but after consulting his assistant, the referee didn’t even award a free kick.

Smith was on the attack too with two shots on goal as the half hour mark approached. The first was an easy save for the keeper, but the second was deflected away for another corner.

The Carter twins continued to combine effectively and Liam earned another corner after 32 minutes, when his cross was put out. While two minutes later Josh had his heel clipped by a pursuing defender, but Palmer’s free kick sailed over the bar.

Both Powell and Josh Carter were in the thick of it in the visitors box, but neither could get the space to turn and any effort was blocked.

Right on the 45 minute mark Smith sent in a superb cross from the left, Powell was blocked again and so was Josh Carter, as the ball hit defenders and just wouldn’t go in.

Finally with the half time whistle poised Mickleover made it 2-1. Konane led a break after a Melbourne corner, Liam Carter then set up Josh again who didn’t need a second chance as he had the advancing keeper well beaten.

The second half continued in the similar end to end vain, with Mickleover earning an early free kick, followed by a corner.

Melbourne had another long shot well off target after 49 minutes, before Mickleover retaliated with Liam Carter winning another corner.

But two minutes later the visitors earned a corner too, Donker headed away, but it came straight back into the box before Atwal finally headed it clear.

Just after Smith’s cross had earned a corner for Sports too, he led an attack down the left, crossing for Powell who then layed the ball off for Josh Carter to complete a 56^th minute hattrick to make it 3-1.

Straight from the restart Mickleover were on the attack again, with Josh cutting in from the right, before firing in a shot well saved by the keeper.

Far from surrendering, Melbourne kept attacking too and were rewarded when the home defence were beaten on the left, leaving Jack Goodband with time to place a precise shot out of Bull’s reach, 3-2 after 62 minutes.

There was almost an equaliser two minutes later, but having found himself in the clear, the Melbourne striker shot well over the bar.

Bull then saved a couple a couple of distance shots, before Sports got a break. The visitors keeper raced off his line to challenge Liam Carter, but injured his hamstring and had to be replaced by an outfield player.

Stevenson had come on for Palmer as Mickleover tried to maximise opportunities with the sub keeper. After Atwal had been hacked down on the half way line, Smith had a shot blocked after 83 minutes, before Josh Carter fired over the bar, after a strong and positive build-up.

Melbourne once again forced Bull into a great save from a powerful effort after 85 minutes as they chased the equaliser.

Brodie Carter and Sudavs were  on too, but it was another team build-up that set up Konane for the fourth goal, 4-2 with three minutes left on the clock.

The pressure was back on Mickleover though, as they fought to try and retain the win. But 89 mins and Jake Peverley beat Bull at close range to make it 4-3, but it still wasn’t over.

Liam Carter ran almost one end of the pitch to the other in time added on, before he was finally intercepted. But Melbourne’s response earned a dubious free kick, from which Bull and his defence stayed tooted as, and the kick went straight in to make it 4-4.

 

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover Reserves have played two matches since our last round up. A week last Saturday they played the re-arranged Divisional Cup away to Melbourne Dynamo.

It proved to be a tough day for Sports youngsters, as they went down 3-9 to their hosts.

Back to the Central Midlands Alliance League action last weekend, they faced table toppers South Normanton Athletic at the Don Amott Arena.

The visitors led 0-1 at half time, after hitting the net following a rebound off the post and managed to double their winning margin in the second half.

Now 10th in the table Mickleover’s next game is at home again on December 28th, when we hope to seek some revenge on sixth placed Melbourne Dynamo.

by Peter Scherer

Although Mickleover Reserves League Cup tie at Melbourne was called off last Saturday, they remain four games unbeaten since the Cup wins over Staveley MW at the end of October and Mickleover Athletic at the beginning of November.

The Carter twins have both been on goal scoring form, with Josh scoring five and Liam three in those last four games.

Flowing their last game, a 3-2 home win at home to Gresley Rovers Reserves  they have moved up to ninth in the Central Midlands Alliance League, with their next match coming next Saturday with a trip to Arnold Town.

by Peter Scherer

Sports Reserves have returned to winning ways after four successive defeats in the Central Midlands Alliance League.

After their home defeat to Mickleover RBL at home on October 19^th they were 3-2 winners over Staveley MW in the League Cup Senior Trophy, with goals from Josh Carter, Justin Iwobi and Taylor Smith.

Last weekend they faced Mickleover Athletic in the divisional Cup South, ending the day 4-0 winners with a Josh Carter hattrick.

It’s back to the league for now though, with a visit to Arnold Town, before returning to the Don Amott Arena again on the 16^th to face Mansfield Hosiery Mills.

by Peter Scherer

Over the last month it’s been a fairly up and down time for Mickleover Reserves. 

They started September well with a 3-2 home win over Holbrok Sports, with Josh Carter, Fin Ryder and Luke Thompson scoring.

A week later they took another three points on a visit to Gresley Rovers, where Josh Carter and Thompson were on the score sheet again, in a 3-1 win, along with Brodie Carter.

But on the 28^th they visited Cromford & Wirksworth in the Cup, coming away with a 3-5 defeat, despite Matthew Harding scoring twice, along with Brodie Carter.

Starting October they were back in league action at Holbrook Sports, but suffered a 1-4 defeat, with Josh Powell scoring, leaving them seventh in the Central Midlands Alliance League table, before welcome Holbrook St.Michael’s this Friday evening October 11^th.

By Peter Scherer (Photography: S Jackson)

Mickleover Reserves won their second away match of the season, when they came away from Gresley Rovers 3-1 victors.

With goals from Josh Carter, Luke Thompson and Brodie Carter, Sports have moved up to eighth in the Central Midlands Alliance League and now visit Cromford & Wirksworth this Saturday.

 

 

by Peter Scherer

Following their 2-5 defeat last Saturday at South Normanton, Mickleover Reserves were at home to Derby Singh Brothers. But a late first half goal proved to be the winner, with Sports going down 0-1.

Starting line-up: 1-Josh Bull 2-Mason Hoult 3-Brad Brittan 4-Jared Cholerton 5-Ted Stevenson 6-Harry Atwal 7-Josh Carter 8- Hamza Konane 9-Fin Ryder 10-Josh Powell 11-Luke Thompson. Subs: Mikey Mandimitsura,  Matt Harding, Brodie Carter, Silas Donker, Lian Carter.

In the opening minutes a long ball found Carter on the right, he was crudely challenged to earn the first free kick of the game. But Atwal’s kick was easily headed away by the visitors defence.

Only two minutes later Singh Brothers had a break, but their main striker put his rushed effort high and wide of Bull’s goal.

The Singh Bros back line were playing well forward to catch Mickleover offside and seven minutes in a lovely ball out of defence by Stevenson, did just that as Carter ran on.

Thompson then sent Ryder on a run a minute later, but the keeper ran off his line to intercept, as Sports youngsters seemed to grow in confidence with continuing strong attacks.

Carter and Ryder broke again and were caught borderline offside, before Hoult went for the overlap on the right.

Cholerton then played a long ball out of defence, but again they were just offside. On the 20 minute mark though they nearly succeeded, when Ryder slotted the ball in from the left and Konane was just beaten to the ball by the keeper.

Both Atwal and Powell put telling ball’s into the box, but both beat the strikers and were cleared by the keeper, before Singh Bros had another tentative attack after 25 minutes, but it was easy for Bull.

It was briefly end to end as Thompson crossed from the left, but despite a scramble in the box, the defence came out on top again.

The visitors were tending to rely on long clearance’s from the keeper, with mixed success. But 29 minutes and Bull had to race out to block one such break, with the defence outpaced.

It was a close call after 35 minutes though after some good work from Konane. He found Ryder, who passed to Carter and his strike was saved by the advancing keeper. But the ball spun back and was heading for goal, when the keeper managed to recover to make a double save.

Powell then hit the bar after a corner, but after a spell of positive pressure from Mickleover, the visitors managed to break again, but Bull was out again with a great save to keep it all square.

After another speculative shot had sailed well over, half time was approaching, with Mickleover unlucky not to be ahead.

But 43 minutes and the tide turned and against the run of play, Singh Bros turned in a well taken chance at close range and it was 0-1.

Powell was then fouled on the half way line, before Brittan had a run down the left to earn a late corner, Ryder then tried a back healer at close range, but time was up for the first period.

There was no immediate change in the line-up for the second half, but after four minutes, Brodie Carter came on for Konane.

Singh Bros received their first yellow car after 50 minutes when Thompson was tripped and another soon followed after Hoult was taken out.

Mandimitsura then replaced Josh Carter just before the hour mark, but it was the visitors gaining the upperhand again, with Bull saving a shot, before the rebound went over the bar.

Sub Carter tried a speculative shot after 70 minutes, before Harding then came on for Thompson. There seemed to be a reluctance to try a shot by Sports and they repeatedly made ground before making it one pass to many, and losing possession.

Carter put Ryder through, but he couldn’t get inside and won a corner and then Brittan tried his luck, but was well off target.

80 minutes and it was almost a second for Singh Bros, when the final ball rolled across the face of the Mickleover goal.

Shortly after a clash on the edge of the box between Ryder and a defender, the visitors keeper was sin binned after an exchange of words.

Sports failed to maximise the sub keeper situation, but after 86 minutes  a Hoult cross was intercepted and Brittain shot, The keeper saved but couldn’t hold it, but the scramble was then cleared.

There was another Singh Bros yellow card after a challenge on Bull, but as time was running out Ryder put an effort just wide of the left hand post.

With about eight minutes added on the keeper returned, but Carter’s hopes of a run were dashed when he was tripped. A Singh Bros defender was then sinned bin and a yellow card brandished to a Sports player.

After a strong first half Sports were left wanting in the second and their reluctance to take a chance on goal proved decisive in the end.

 

by Sam Cholerton

On a sunny but breezy evening, Melbourne FC hosted Mickleover on their well-maintained pitch. Despite Mickleover’s strong start, playing their usual pass-and-move game and controlling possession, Melbourne’s physicality and relentless pressing ultimately saw them secure a 2-0 victory.

Starting Line Up:

1.Josh Maher, 2. Mason Hoult, 3. Brad Brittan, 4. Jared Cholerton (c), 5. Zak Sandhu, 6. Harry Atwal, 7. Josh Carter, 8. Hamza Konane, 9. Mike Mandimitsura 10. Josh Powell, 11. Luke Thompson, Subs: Ted Stevenson, Taylor Smith, Brodie Carter, Jake Lord, Matt Harding.  

Mickleover began brightly, forcing Melbourne to change tactically, with a high press and direct approach with the wind. However, despite Mickleover’s early dominance, it was Melbourne who struck first, somewhat against the run of play.

In the 10th minute, Melbourne won their first corner of the game. A poorly dealt with delivery led to confusion in the box, and the ball found its way into the back of the net, giving Melbourne a surprising 1-0 lead.

Mickleover responded well, continuing to pass and move effectively. A shot from Thompson was spilled by the Melbourne keeper, but there was no one on hand to capitalise. As the wind began to pick up, Mickleover’s Cholerton launched a long ball to Powell, who made a great run and played in Thompson, but the chance inexplicably ended with a dubious goal kick awarded to Melbourne.

Despite their best efforts, Mickleover struggled to break Melbourne down. Another long throw from our hostscaused havoc in the box but was defended well, and although Melbourne continued to press, Mickleover’s defence, led by Maher in goal, stood firm.

Melbourne’s next big chance came from a corner in the 30th minute, as they hit the bar with a well-taken set piece. They continued to cause problems with their relentless pressure and physical play, forcing Mickleover to defend especially at set pieces.

A missed open goal after another Melbourne corner was a let-off for Mickleover as the half wore on. Thompson then caused concern for Mickleover when he landed awkwardly, but after some treatment, he was able to continue. The first half ended 1-0 in favour of Melbourne, with Mickleover doing well to stay in the game.

At the start of the second half, Mickleover made a quick substitution with J. Carter replaced by Matt Harding. Melbourne came out attacking, but a superb double block from Sandhu kept them at bay.

Mickleover defended resolutely but struggled to create clear chances. Just eight minutes into the second half, Melbourne doubled their lead, when Mickleover failed to clear their lines from a Melbourne attack, and the home side pounced to make it 2-0.

This goal seemed to deflate Mickleover, as Melbourne continued to press high and disrupt their attempts to build from the back.

Mickleover made further substitutions, with Mandimitsura replaced by B. Carter at the hour mark and Powell making way for Stevenson five minutes later.

Despite some nice passing moves in midfield, Mickleover couldn’t break through Melbourne’s well organised defence.

Sports then won their first corner of the match, but despite a good delivery by Atwal, Melbourne defended well and cleared the danger.

Dynamo’s physicality continued to make life difficult for Mickleover’s youngsters as they kept the ball in their opponent’s half and defended their lead solidly.

Sports tried to mount an attack, but every time they pushed forward, they were met with intense pressure from the home players.

As the game neared its conclusion, Sandhu provided a spark for Mickleover with a driving run down the wing, winning a free kick. Stevenson delivered the ball into the Melbourne box, but Atwal’s effort somehow sailed over the bar.

A final substitution saw Lord come on for Hoult in the 75th minute, but despite a late push from Mickleover, they couldn’t find a way past the stubborn Melbourne defence. Melbourne continued to pressurise Mickleover as the game drew to a close and Maher made some excellent saves late on. The match ended in a frustrating 2-0 defeat for Mickleover but credit to Melbourne for a resolute and tactically astute performance.

Head Coach Steve Powell was pleased with the performance…

Our intention was to start brightly, press high and dominate possession in the build-up which again as in previous games we did early on. But credit to Melbourne for making tactical changes and although the first goal came against the run of play, they made it difficult for us to build up through the middle.

On reflection it was a great learning opportunity for the players to have to make and execute decisions under pressure, when being closed down quickly and against very physical opposition.

Our learning also comes from how we have to adapt to the specific external factors each game provides and have the confidence individually and as a squad to maintain our playing style, which we are still developing with such a newly formed and young squad

On a warm and overcast afternoon, Wirksworth Ivanhoe FC hosted Mickleover FC in a Central Midlands Alliance league clash that tested the visitors’ resolve. Mickleover, fresh from no midweek fixture started the game brightly, controlling possession, with some slick link-up play between Luke Thompson and Josh Carter leading to an early foul on Thompson. 

Unfortunately, their momentum was cut short in the 8^th minute when a well worked short corner by Wirksworth was smashed home to make it 1-0. 

Mickleover tried to respond quickly, Brad Brittan picked up the ball from deep, charged down the wing, and found Mikey  Mandimitsura in a promising position, only for the move to be halted by a questionable offside call. 

Despite their efforts, Mickleover struggled to penetrate Ivanhoe’s defence. A great strike by Mandimitsura just over the bar looked like Mickleover might claw their way back, but disaster struck in the 25th minute. 

After an Ivanhoe attack the ball was bundled into the net, doubling the lead to 2-0. As the half wore on, Mickleover found themselves under sustained pressure, defending several corners. Josh Maher was again called into action with a fantastic save right on the stroke of half-time after a defensive error almost gifted Ivanhoe a third. 

As the second half got underway the sun broke through the clouds and Mickleover came out looking more energetic. Within minutes, their positive play paid off, with a brilliant move involving Thompson and Mandimitsura seeing Josh Carter slot the ball home in the 49th minute, giving Mickleover hope at 2-1.

They immediately gained more and more control of the game, however, a poor sequence of defending allowed Wirksworth to restore their two-goal lead shortly after, making it 3-1 and stifling Mickleover’s momentum. 

The introduction of Lord for Konane at the 60-minute mark brought fresh legs but little change in fortunes. As the game wore on, Mickleover battled hard, with Brittan picking up a yellow card for a late challenge. 

Wirksworth, meanwhile, expertly disrupted Mickleover’s rhythm, breaking up play and utilising their physicality advantage.

Late in the game, a dubious free-kick decision in Ivanhoe’s favour nearly caused tempers to boil over, but Mickleover managed to keep their composure. Their best chance to get back into the game came from a superb free-kick by Josh Carter, which rattled the crossbar in the dying moments of the match. 

Despite Mickleover’s efforts, Ivanhoe’s defence held firm. Mickleover made a number of substitutions but couldn’t turn the tide. An excellent overhead clearance off the line by Cholerton typified Mickleover’s late and continued efforts, but ultimately, the score remained 3-1. 

The final Score: Ivanhoe FC 3-1 Mickleover FC Mickleover will leave Wirksworth frustrated, having struggled to play their usual passing game. Despite their best efforts in the second half, Ivanhoe’s disciplined defence and opportunistic finishing secured the win.