by Peter Scherer

Having received a walkover in the opening round of the Central Midlands League Buckingham Insurance League Challenge Cup, Mickleover Reserves visited Holbrook St Michaels in a second round tie.

Holbrook, currently seventh in the Black Dragon Badges Premier South Division table, proved to be tough opposition and led at half time 0-1 with a Cartwright goal.

Ethan Mann managed to level things during the second half, but Gianluca Gandola sealed it for the hosts after a lack lustre show from the Mickleover side.

It’s back to the league and the title chase on Saturday though, when the reserves are at home to top of the table Pinxton at the Don Amott Arena, kick off 3pm.

by Tom Alston

Ashland 1-5 Mickleover Reserves

Mickleover reserves continue their spectacular form with a comfortable 5-1 away win against Ashland Rovers in the Central Midlands League Premier Division. 

An impressive brace from both George Atwal and Fin Barker all but completed a dominant display by the Sports reserves with Freddie Murphy coming off the bench to join to duo on the scoresheet.

The match begun with Atwal looking to catch the Ashland goalkeeper off guard from the kick-off. His audacious attempt from the centre circle narrowly arched over the bar with the ‘keeper back peddling. A sign of things to come for the reserves number four who had his eye in for goal. 

Only minutes later Atwal came close again. From deep on the right-hand side, he curled a dangerous left-footed freekick goalward. The goalkeeper once again had to react quickly and punched the ball out of the box. 

Mickleover begun to bombard the home side with flurries of attacking opportunities. Jude Ayetine was next to have an attempt at the Ashland goal. Jacob Edge-Lucas received a brilliant floated ball down the line by Atwal. The fullback opened up space for himself and clipped a ball from the right onto the head of Ayetine. To the number ten’s misfortunes his headed attempt at goal spun narrowly wide of the far-left post. 

Barker looked to open up the scoring for the away side but mis-hit a left footed effort and saw his shot sail over the goal. He had worked himself into a brilliant position in the centre of the penalty area after jinxing his way in from the right. 

Ashland Rovers looked to respond to the plethora of Mickleover attacks with one of their own. A free kick from the left curled towards the far-right post but proved no problem for Fin Bowen who watched the attempt whip out for a goal kick. 

Having tried his luck earlier on, Atwal opened the scoring on the 20-minute mark. He picked the ball up centrally outside the area, put his head down and drilled a low driven shot towards goal. His attempt arrowed into the bottom right corner and was out of reach for the diving goalkeeper. 

Ten minutes later Mickleover doubled their lead through Barker. Devon Smith found himself on the right wing and delivered an in-swinging cross into the box. The goalkeeper reacted well and met the ball, however he fumbled it leaving it to fall to the feet of Barker who tapped in to earn his first of the match. 

Mickleover finished the half with Barker getting his brace in an excellent move. Atwal played a perfectly weighted pass from the centre of the park, splitting through the defence and travelling into the path of Barker. With the ‘keeper looking to beat him to the ball Barker delicately chipped the ball up and over into an unmanned net. 

The second half saw more of the Mickleover dominance with the away team controlling possession. Freddie Murphy came on for Smith in the 70th minute and two minutes later he made his mark on the game with a goal. Edge-Lucas drilled a low ball across the area towards the far post. With a couple of mis-hits the ball landed at Murphy’s feet who tapped in from close range to make it four. 

Rovers were not out of the game just yet, winning a corner on the right-hand side they delivered an out-swinging ball targeted for the penalty spot. Their captain rose above the rest and delivered a towering header low into the ground to deny Bowen a clean sheet.

Mickleover Reserves finished their match with Atwal earning his brace, when the Ashland goalkeeper came out of his area to clear to ball. His clearance fell to the feet of Atwal on the halfway line and without hesitation he launched a strike. His effort sailed over a stranded goalkeeper and nestled into the open net rewarding  the reserve side with a 5-1 victory, continuing their magnificent league form.

Starting line-up: Fin Bowen, Jacob Edge-Lucas, Will Robinson, George Atwal, Ethan Mann, Cam Anthony (Sam Groves 68’), Lewis Benjamin (Ben Lewin 68’), Ben Horleston, Devon Smith (Freddie Murphy 70’), Jude Ayetine, Fin Barker Unused sub: Josh Satchwell.

Barker stars as Mickleover Reserves earn late win in local derby against Mickleover Royal British Legion

by Tom Horner

A brace from young star Fin Barker saw Mickleover Reserves earn a hard-fought 2-1 victory at the Don Amott Arena.

The early stages of the game saw very little goalmouth action, with neither side creating any clear-cut opportunities until the 14^th minute, when Devon Smith’s acrobatic effort was cleared off the line at the back post.

The home side gained momentum as the half went on, with Jude Ayetine rattling the cross bar with a sweet right-footed strike following Jacob Edge-Lucas’s fantastic low cross.

Fin Barker then capitalised on a defensive miskick before showing great skill to beat two Royal British Legion defenders and looked certain to finish but for a spectacular save by the away goalkeeper.

Mickleover continued to dominate and trouble Royal British Legion as the game approached half-time. Ben Horleston played a pinpoint through ball to Barker, who dribbled past the away defence once again before laying off Ayetine who curled his shot just wide of the post from 12 yards.

The home side started the second half strongest as Ayetine’s backheel effort was deflected behind for a corner kick. George Atwal’s resulting corner struck the near post and lead to a goalmouth scramble. The ball was eventually cleared but only as far as Atwal, who whipped the ball back in, this time seeing his effort curl narrowly wide of the far top corner.

Despite the pressure Mickleover were putting their opponents under, in the 63^rd minute, Royal British Legion took the lead against the run of play. The Royal British Legion left-winger cut the ball onto his right foot and smashed the ball into the near top corner to make it 1-0 to the away side.

However, it did not take long for the home side to bring the game level. Just a few minutes after going behind, some intricate passing play by Mickleover resulted in Barker being set free, before the young forward placed the ball expertly into the far bottom corner to make the scoreline 1-1.

Mickleover then came close to making it a quickfire double as Fin Barker and Lopes Massampo combined with a lovely one-two, but Barker’s low effort was well saved by the goalkeeper.

As the game edged closer to full time, it looked like Mickleover were going to have to settle for a point. However, just like the first-team did against Witton Albion on Saturday, the home side found an 88^th minute winner. Josh Satchwell’s flicked header released Barker who stayed cool to slot the ball beyond the outrushing goalkeeper and find the bottom corner via the base of the post.

Mickleover survived a late goalmouth Scramble to secure all three points and move onto 50 points for the season.

90’ Lewis Benjamin replaces Fin Barker

90’ Emilio De Abreu replaces Jude Ayetine 

Starting Line-up:

Fin Bowen, Jacob Edge-Lucas, Cameron Anthony, Ethan Mann, Will Robinson, Lopes Massampo, Ben Horleston, George Atwal ©, Fin Barker (Lewis Benjamin 90), Devon Smith (Satchwell 58), Jude Ayetine (Emilio De Abreu 90).

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover Reserves dropped only their fourth home point of the season when they were held to a 2-2 by Sherwood Colliery Reserves in the Central Midlands League Premier Division South at the Don Amott Arena.

Tristan Burrell gave the visitors the lead after just seven minutes, before goals from Fin Barker and George Atwal gave Sports the lead.

But Sherwood came back again with Liam West scoring the equaliser to extend their unbeaten run to 11 games.

Despite dropping the points Sports remain top by two points from Pinxton, but with a game in hand, now taking a break from league action next weekend, when they face Carlton B in the League Cup.

by Peter Scherer

For the fourth time this season Mickleover Reserves hit seven goals against Rowsley, as they returned to Central Midlands League Premier Division South action last night.

Starting line-up: 1-Fin Bowen 2-Jacob Edge-Lucas 3-Will Robinson 4-John McGrath 5-Ethan Mann 6-Cameron Anthony 7-Ben Horleston 8-Geore Atwal 9-Devon Smith 10-Bobby Battisson 17-Fin Barker, Subs: Ash Elliott, Louis Benjamin, Zach Robertson, Freddie Murphy.

It was a fairly even start to the game and Mickleover had their first positive attack after four minutes, when Barker put in a good cross from the right, but there was no one to receive it. Only a minute later Smith broke clear but Barker’s resulting shot was blocked after the visitors keeper was caught out of position. Robinson was then working hard on the overlap, crossing from the left but Barker couldn’t quite get there, as Sports started to lose possession with some stray passing.

The game took a turn after 11 minutes when the ball broke loose in the middle, and was picked up by a Rowsley striker. He managed to outpace Anthony and placed the ball well as he beat the advancing Bowen. 0-1.

Mann headed over from a McGrath corner after 12 minutes, before Battisson hustled his way through to find Smith, whose shot whistled just wide of the right hand post. After Barker was fouled 16 minutes in, the free kick came to nought, but the young striker had battled his way into the box again, but Smith wanted too much time on the ball and failed to get a shot in. The work rate was fairly high and the skill was evident, but the flow and control was still eluding the Mickleover attacks. 

Barker floated in a perfectly timed cross after 20 minutes. It beat the keeper but just a finger from him was enough to put it beyond Horleston’s reach.

As McGrath was controlling central midfield, he managed to send Edge-Lucas on a telling run down the right, before cutting in and sending another shot just wide of the right hand post. Barker was almost in again after Atwal found Battisson and allowed Smith to feed the ball through, and only two minutes later Barker lobbed over the bar when the keeper came out and failed to collect.

The frustration continued to show as the chances were there, but the finishing wasn’t.

Atwal was tripped in full flight but his free kick went straight into the keepers hands, but Rowsley managed a break themselves after 32 minutes, but the resulting shot was easily held by Bowen. Barker had another 35^th minute shot which earned a corner and a McGrath free kick was just wide after Battisson was fouled. Another cross from Robinson found Barker whose effort was straight into the keepers hands, but after 41 minutes the breakthrough finally came. From a Horleston throw Battisson charged through the defence and sent his crisp shot into the top right hand corner of the Rowsley net 1-1.

Suddenly it was all change and almost on half time Barker cut in from the left and sent a scorching shot high into the roof of the net 2-1. There could have been another in time added on as Barker cut inside again before his challenge was intercepted and the half time whistle blew.

To say it was men v boys in the second half was an understatement, as it was the boys from Mickleover that restored their dominance, as fitness and skill started to tell. Only four minutes into the second half Smith was in the clear with only the keeper to beat when he was hacked down by a recovering defender. Horleston then went close after 54 minutes, but his shot was into the side netting.

It was all one way traffic and just before the hour mark Barker made it 3-1, as Smith and Horleston made way for subs Elliott and Benjamin. 68 minutes and Atwal celebrated his 18^th birthday in the best possible way, his shot from outside the box had the keeper well beaten, after a good midfield build up, 4-1.

Chances continued thick and fast and the flow that was missing from the first half was back with avengeance. Robertson was the next sub on for Edge-Lucas, but after 76 minutes it was 5-1 when Barker smashed in an unstoppable shot for his hattrick. Barker was on target again only three minutes later, when he was free down the middle and just moved forward and chipped the ball over the keeper 6-1. Elliott went close a few minutes later too, after Battisson put him through and with three minutes let McGrath tried another lob from the half way line, but the keeper recovered and it bounced off his chest. But they hadn’t finished yet and after Atwal fired over from a McGrath corner, Battisson whipped through the demoralised defence again and blasted it past the advancing keeper for his second of the night and a final score of 7-1.

The victory now places the reserves firmly at the top of the league two points clear of Blidworth, before Saturday’s game away to Sherwood Colliery Reserves.

by Peter Scherer

The Mickleover FC Reserves side should have played local rivals Mickleover RBL twice over the last five weeks, as both teams strive for supremacy in the Central Midlands League Premier Division South.

The first game was off with the Poppyfields pitch waterlogged, and the home game due to be played this Tuesday is now off, after positive Covid tests in the RBL squad.

So the Reserves next game is now due to be played at Holbrook St Michael’s on Saturday, before facing Rowsley at the Don Amott Arena in Tuesday 11^th, having gone five weeks without a game!

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover Reserves headed for Long Eaton last Saturday for their Central Midlands League Premier Division South fixture, seeking revenge for the rare home defeat suffered at their hosts hands in August.

In a tough game they came away with a point from a 1-1 draw, with leading scorer George Atwal on the score sheet again.

It has briefly knocked Sports from the top of the table, one point behind Blidworth, with a game in hand.

They are due to visit Wirksworth Ivanhoe on Saturday for a 2pm kick off weather permitting before facing Linby at the Don Amott Arena on December 18^th, their last game of 2021.

by Peter Scherer

Another convincing win for Mickleover Reserves, took them back to the top of the Central Midlands League Premier Division South table, beating South Normanton Athletic 7-1.

Starting line-up: 1-Fin Bowen 11-Zach Robertson 3-Rhys Dolan 4-John McGrath 5-Pablo Mills 6-Ethan Mann 7-George Milner 8-Roger Lee 9-Jahvan Davidson-Miller 10-Ash Elliott. Subs: Lopes Massampo, Emilio De Abreu, Devon Smith, Jude Ayetine, George Atwal.

After finding their feet in the opening minutes, Mickleover were straight on the attack after four minutes, with Jahvan Davidson-Miller crossing from the byline after a defender failed block, but there was no one to receive it.

Elliott then tried a shot three minutes later, after a good run down the left by debutant Dolan, but overall it was fairly even in the middle, with Mickleover keeper Bowen yet to get a touch.

With the experience of Milner, McGrath and Lee pushing forward from midfield, Mills played a perfect through ball to find Jahvan-Miller in the clear. He came in closer, picked his spot and fired neatly beyond the visiting keeper after 14 minutes, 1-0.

McGrath then sent Dolan on another run a couple of minutes later, but the keeper just beat him to the ball.

A second goal was looking imminent, with South Normanton unable to retain possession. Milner fired well over after 22 minutes and three minutes later Jahvan-Miller was tripped on the edge of the box.

Mills took the free kick and it beat both the wall and the keeper to find the top corner, 2-0.

Another Mills led attack soon followed with a shot fired well over, but both wing backs Robertson and Dolan were both causing havoc to the visitors defence.

On the half hour Dolan had another long run right in the box. He was pushed down, but penalty appeals were waved away.

Davidson-Miller’s pace and power saw him on the end of a clinical build up again after 35 minutes, his finish was just as accurate as his first, 3-0.

With five minutes left of the first half it could easily have been a hattrick for Davidson-Miller, after Milner had picked up a loose ball. But the final touch was only half a connection and the keeper had it covered.

South Normanton finally had a chance after 41 minutes, but the cross into the box had no one left to collect, while Mills ended the second half with another powerful shot over the bar from long range.

Mickleover made one change at half time, with Massampo on for Mann, which dropped Elliott back to centre back alongside Anthony.

The second half had barely kicked off and Milner had a great chance. He beat the keeper, but his effort also beat the far post by inches.

There was another shot wide from South Normanton after 49 minutes, but Mills then picked it up and had another shot just off target.

The visitors earned a free kick in sight of the Mickleover goal, but it came to nought and then in the 57^th minute Davidson-Miller had a shot across the goal, but the angle had proven too tight to threaten.

A couple of minutes of sustained attack followed, with Mills on the receiving end for his second to make it 4-0.

Mickleover made their second change when De Abreu came on for Milner, but play had moved to the Mickleover end, and after the defence seemed to freeze, South Normanton took their chance well, to make it 4-1 on the hour.

Lee then put in a telling cross for Dolan to shoot over, but 68 minutes down and Mills completed his hattrick to make it 5-1, chasing onto a long through ball cutting straight through the middle of the visitors defence.

Mills made his departure to make way for Smith, but the visitors continued to try and play and had another shot just wide of the mark.

De Abreu had a shot straight at the keeper after 75 minutes and Elliott then headed clear any danger from a South Normanton free kick.

But it was total chaos in the visitors defence a few minutes later, when the keeper came out to try and rescue his defence. But he lost out too and De Abreu fired it into the net with 78 minutes gone for 6-1.

Bowen had to make his first real save three minutes later, when he tipped over for a corner. A goal mouth scramble followed, before the danger was cleared again.

83 minutes and it was 7-1, when Smith made a nice turn under pressure and fired in as the defence tried to block him.

The South Normanton keeper was busy right up to the final whistle, making one good save, before a Davidson-Miller effort was saved and Dolan put the rebound wide.

Davidson-Miller was still trying for his hattrick and his final chance came in the 43^rd minute, but his shot was saved and it remained 7-1 and took Mickleover back to the top.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover Reserves made it a winning double over Mansfield Hosiery Mills. Have won 2-0 away earlier in the season, it was already 3-0 by half time, before it had raised to seven by full time.

Starting line-up: Fin Bowen; Jake Edge-Lucas; Will Robinson; Cam Anthony; Ethan Mann; John McGrath; Roger Lee; George Milner; Ash Elliott; Pablo Mills; Fin Barker. Subs: George Atwal, Zac Robertson, Devon Smith.

Mickleover earned their first corner after four minutes and a minute later it was 1-0 after Edge-Lucas was fouled and Mills headed home from a McGrath free kick.

It was almost a second for Mickleover after 10 minutes, when Barker was in a challenge with the Mansfield keeper. The young striker held possession and layed it off to Milner, whose chip beat the keeper, only to find a defender on the goal line.

Milner had the keeper beaten again three minutes later, but it was Lee with the shot that was blocked again, before the ball went out with Mills chasing.

Mann then tried his luck with a random shot from well out, before a 17^th minute cross from Edge-Lucas left Lee unable to control a bouncing ball, but he managed to find Mills who had similar problems.

Mansfield had their first corner after 20 minutes, but it came to nought, before Barker led another attack which ended with an uncollected cross passing the face of the goal.

After Milner was fouled on the edge of the box, the free kick failed to provide any initiative, but in the 26^th minute Edge-Lucas’ perfectly weighted cross , found Mills head and set up Barker to make it 2-0.

Only a minute later Barker ran at the defence once more to fire a shot just over, but Mickleover were quick to threaten again when a Lee shot was cleared, only for Milner to collect. But his through ball was just too far ahead of Mills.

A third goal looked almost certain, with Mansfield struggling to get into the final quarter.

Barker battled his way through almost the entire visitors defence after 32 minutes, before finding Elliott, but his shot was straight at the keeper.

McGrath put a telling ball into the box shortly afterwards, picked up by the overlapping Robinson, but the defence did enough to block his shot.

Mansfield managed to get a shot in too, but it was well wide of the mark, before Mickleover went close yet again. Milner swept it out wide on the right to Edge-Lucas. A corner was earned from the blocked shot, from which Mills just missed with another header.

The back four of Edge-Lucas, Anthony, Mann and Robinson had looked solid throughout, leaving Bowen with little to do.

But with four minutes left in the first half, another cross from Edge-Lucas found Mills, who headed on for McGrath to head home 3-0.

Mickleover made two changes for the second half, Atwal had come for Milner, who had successfully played his first 45 minutes after returning from injury, while Robertson was on for Edge-Lucas, who dislocated a finger.

Mickleover started the second half where they had left off, with Lee feeding Barker through, just losing out to the outcoming Mansfield keeper.

But after 50 minutes Robertson’s pacey overlap, provided a decisive cross and Barker hit his second to make it 4-0.

Mansfield started to come out of defence slightly and after a few minutes of attacking, it ended with another shot just wide of Bowen’s post.

On the hour Smith came on for Elliott and was straight into the action, when he collected a long ball from Mills, but his shot was straight at the keeper.

Barker had another half chance from an Atwal pass, but it was soon 5-0 when Smith took it around the keeper in the 71^st minute after a McGrath pass had split the visitors defence.

With Sports in such attacking mood, more goals looked likely. Mills went close with an acrobatic overhead kick saved by the keeper, but with 15 minutes left another charge down the wing from Robertson, found Mills to hit his second and it was 6-0.

Only  a minute later Smith fired a shot inches past the post, before Mansfield made another rare break but still couldn’t find the target.

But in the closing minutes Mills tried a cheeky back healer which almost caught the keeper out, but allowed Smith to crack another shot just wide of the post again.

It ended 7-0 though after Robertson was left totally unmarked down the right. He hesitated briefly before squaring the ball to find Atwal running in to fire it home.

Another convincing win and now we look forward to the local “Derby” game against Mickleover RBL on Saturday at Poppyfields Drive, kick off 2pm.