by Peter Scherer

Mickleover FC Reserves are now fourth in the Central Midlands League Premier South Division table and only a point from top, following their third successive win last Saturday.

With two early corners conceded by visitors Cromford & Wirksworth FC, Mickleover soon had the upperhand and following a foul on Fin Barker, Louis Pennington saw his free kick rebound off the wall.

But Pennington then sent Brandon Ferron through to cut inside, his shot was heading for goal, but a final touch from Barker made sure. 1-0.

The visitors had failed to create much in response, but a rare break was blocked by Rock, who was looking a solid pairing in the middle of defence with Ethan Mann.

Some promising and creative Mickleover play in midfield kept Sports going forward, but wasn’t creating the chances.

But after Barker was fouled again, he took the free kick which was cleared again as it came off the wall, so it remained 1-0 at half time.

It was the defenders on the attack early into the second half, when Mann found Rock, who couldn’t quite get his shot in before it was cleared.

Ferron put a couple of good crosses in, but there was no one on the end of it, then Zak Sandhu came on after Ferron took a knock, joined by Sam Harrison on for Cozens.

Sandhu’s first job was to block a Cromford shot, but the following corner wasn’t cleared and they shot just wide.

But shortly afterwards Cromford won a free kick, which wasn’t cleared, the follow up shot hit the bar, before another header breached keeper Fin Bowen’s defence and it was 1-1.

Mickleover were on the charge again though and Barker had a shot well saved by the visitors keeper. Sandhu and Harrison then combined to win another corner, with Pennington winning a free kick, which he took himself and was well held by the keeper after he breached the wall.

Sandhu hit the bar after a cross from Ronnie Bonser, before two more changes were made. Harry Atwal and Dean Ironmonger came on for Fin Ryder and Jack Leighton.

But Barker was running at the Cromford defence again and was fouled. Atwal stepped up to take the free kick and curled it past the wall into the top left-hand corner, with the keeper well beaten 2-1.

Mickleover continued to push hard but Cromford had far from given up and responded too. There was a late break too for Harrison in the final minutes, but his shot was just of target.

The Reserves are back in action again on Saturday when they visit Clay Cross in the League Cup, before their league campaign resumes with Teversal at home on October 8^th.

(Information contributed by Mickleover Reserves FC Twitter)

by Peter Scherer

A 3-1 victory at Arnold Town last night has moved Mickleover Reserves into third place in the Central Midlands League Premier South Division.

It didn’t start too well for the young Mickleover side, when they conceded an early goal from striker Chambers.

But the striking power of Declan Brown and the return of last seasons top scorer Fin Barker, soon had Mickleover fighting back.

Barker had a shot deflected onto the post before Brown followed up to make it 1-1. But Barker was on the attack and fired a shot just over the bar as it remained even at half time.

Sports had been forced to make one change before the break, with Fin Ryder coming on for Owen Parr.

The home keeper was in for a busier second half and after a couple of chances and corners, he had to make a spectacular save from a Brown effort.

But it wasn’t long before Mickleover went ahead, with Ronnie Bonser making a clearance, allowing Barker to send Jack Leighton on the overlap. His telling cross then found Brown and it was 2-1.

It was another Leighton charge that set up Brown for his hattrick, to settle all three points in Mickleover’s favour at 3-1.

The Reserves at home to Cromford & Wirksworth on Saturday at 3pm. The first team are without a game, SP PAY THEM A VISIT!!

(Information contributed by Mickleover Reserves FC Twitter)

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover Reserves secured their second win of the season last night, hitting six without reply at home to Ashland.

Starting line-up: 1-Fin Bowen 2-Jake Bennett 3-Brandon Ferron 4-Charlie Rock 5-Pablo Mills 6-Zak Sandhu 7-Owen Parr 8-John McGrath 9-Jahvan Davidson-Miller 10-Jack Leighton 11-Ben Horleston. Subs: Harry Atwal, Louis Pennington, Fin Ryder, Declan Brown, Dean Ironmonger.

In his first game since last November, Bennett was back from his knee operation and soon on the attack, with a right cross in the first minute to earn a corner.

Having moved from his previous right back position, Leighton chased a through ball after six minutes, but it just outpaced him and went out for a goal kick.

Sports were looking very strong going forward and a cross from Mills just missed Davidson-Miller’s head, before a slight fumble from the Ashland keeper was cleared.

McGrath and Horleston were controlling midfield, freeing up Parr and Leighton for runs at the visitors. 10 minutes in and McGrath fed Bennett down the right again, but his cross the saw Davidson-Miller’s shot blocked. Parr then fired in another cross three minutes later to earn another corner.

Mills put a shot wide after 14 minutes from a McGrath cross and a minute later a free kick from the Gaffer saw Davidson-Miller hold the ball well in the box, but he couldn’t get the turn for a final shot before it was cleared.

The shots were coming thick and fast and Horleston found Davidson-Miller again in space, but his shot was just wide of the left-hand post after 16 minutes.

Three minutes later and Davidson-Miller finally hit the opening goal, after a long and precise build-up from midfield 1-0, and only a minute later Mills crashed a shot against the bar after a great diagonal run from Leighton.

Davidson-Miller was constantly on the attack and his long run after 22 minutes earned another corner, he then cracked in another shot a minute later which was well saved by the Ashland keeper.

McGrath then had a corner, which led to a deflected shot hitting the post, and then in close succession both Horleston and Mills had further shots saved.

On the half hour another McGrath corner saw the visitor’s keeper save again from Davidson-Miller before Bennett made it 2-0 after a build-up down the right in the 33^rd minute. 2-0.

Mills then hit the bar again from a McGrath pass, before both Davidson-Miller and Mills had further shots saved as half time approached.

With a minute to go Ferron beat the defence on the left, found Mills but the keeper saved his shot again Then Leighton just missed making contact as the Ashland keeper ran off his line to intercept, with Mills waiting unmarked in the middle.

There was no peace for the visitors again as Mickleover were straight on the attack again at the start of the second half.

A Ferron cross just missed Davidson-Miller’s head after 46 minutes, but three minutes later the visitors had their only real shot in the whole match, well wide of Bowen’s left-hand post.

Ferron had a shot himself which the keeper held onto at the second attempt and then after 55 minutes Bennett was causing more trouble down the right, but the following shots were off target.

We only had to wait another minute though before Davidson-Miller connected in a goal mouth scramble to make it 3-0.

Ashland had a break almost on the hour, but with Bowen racing off his line, the danger was soon cleared before Mickleover made a double substitution with Pennington and Ryder on for Bennett and Leighton.

Davidson-Miller then completed his hattrick after 68 minutes after taking the ball around the keeper, he then came off to be replaced by Ironmonger, with Atwal on for Parr. 4-0.

Mills was still seeking his goal and fired another attempt wide after 73 minutes. Ferron then fed another ball to him, but he just missed connecting, but there was another goal after 77 minutes with Ironmonger on target 5-0.

Brown came on for Horleston in the last 10 minutes and after a solid performance at the back from Rock and Sandhu, Rock went close to adding to the scoresheet after 82 minutes, after his effort was just wide of the left-hand post.

88 Minutes on the clock and Mills got his goal to round off the night with a comfortable 6-0 victory. “I wasn’t a matter of if I scored, it was more a case of when,” Mills concluded.

The Reserves are next in action next Tuesday night, when they visit Arnold Town. 

by Peter Scherer

It was virtually the Mickleover FC youth team facing Holbrook in last nights Central Midlands League Division One South match, but they had to settle for 2-2 draw.

Starting line-up: 1-Tom Bill 2-Jack Leighton 3-Brandon Ferron 4-Harry Atwal 5-Pablo Mills 6-Charlie Rock 7-Owen Parr 6-Ben Horleston 9-Ronnie Bonser 10-Jahvan Davidson-Miller 11-Fin Ryder. Subs: Dam Harrison, Dean Ironmonger, Cody Roberts-Downing, Dani Owalabi.

Only two minutes into the game Davidson-Miller was fouled to earn the first free-kick, but Ferron shot wide from Mills kick.

Three minutes later Holbrook had their first attack but failed to trouble Bill in the Mickleover goal.

As Mickleover took the upperhand Mills headed just wide from an Atwal cross, before Leighton fired in a telling cross after an overlap on the left.

Mills was trying to get long balls through to Davidson-Miller, but Holbrook were then quick on the break after a couple of interceptions, but Bonser,Rock and Atwal cleared any danger.

After 19 minutes the Holbrook keeper had to charge out of his goal, with only metres to spare before Davidson-Miller connected with another long ball.

The first team striker then followed up a minute later with a good hold in the box, turning and shooting just wide of the post.

It was Mills and Davidson-Miller combining that saw Horleston score the opening goal after 25 minutes, a crisp effort from just inside the box buried in keeper Morley’s left-hand corner. 1-0.

Both Leighton and Ferron were working the overlaps well and a Ferron run was just short of connecting with Davidson-Miler again on the half hour.

Atwal had a long-range effort just over the bar and then 37 minutes in and Horleston found Mills, whose shot was deflected for a corner.

Holbrook had another shot just over the bar with five minutes left in the second half. But Mickleover came back with Horleston’s shot blocked from a Parr cross.

Bonser then lost possession and Holbrook were through, forcing a fine save from Bill, before Parr’s shot was deflected onto the bar, and Mills followed up with a cross, just missing the heads of both Davidson-Miller and Ryder.

Holbrook started the second half with more endeavour to seek out the equaliser. Bonser managed to get back to intercept the first break, but only two minutes later Holbrook were level with a 49^th effort.

The central defence of Bonser and Rock was split wide open, leaving Holbrook’s Barnes with a free shot down the middle and no chance for Bill, 1-1.

Both Leighton and Ferron continued to put the crosses in, before Parr had a shot saved after 51 minutes.

The Holbrook goalkeeper Morley then went off injured, but Mickleover failed to capitalise or trouble the sub keeper.

Just over the hour and Mickleover were losing control in midfield, but Holbrook’s efforts were off target.

Mills had a tap cleared off the line following a 65^th minute corner, Davidson-Miller was thwarted one step from a shot in the box and Parr had another shot deflected for a corner.

But 68 minutes in and Bonser was outpaced by Holbrook’s Millinchip and fouled him from behind, just outside the box, almost identical to the penalty given away in last week’s Youth Cup match.

It was a straight red card and Mickleover then subbed Mills with Roberts-Downing, before Holbrook’s free kick was sent well wide.

There was another defensive mix-up in the 73^rd minute, but Holbrook shot wide after a free shot on goal.

A minute later Ryder had a good run before cutting inside, but Davidson-Miller’s end shot was too weak. Ryder was then on the ball again, but his final pass was just behind Davidson-Miller.

Mickleover tried to push forward and there was another Davidson-Miler shot straight at the sub keeper, before Parr had a blast blocked.

Ferron then cut in from his own overlap, but his shot was too weak too. But Horleston should have scored his second, but he failed to connect with another Ferron cross.

Ryder had a cross or shot just wide of the right-hand corner, but just when it looked to heading for a draw, the Mickleover defence was split wide open down the middle yet again by Smithurst and it was 1-2 after 84 minutes.

But three minutes later Leighton’s dogged perseverance saw him fire another cross into the box, there was a scramble as both Ryder and Davidson-Miller going for the final touch as they made it 2-2.

Mickleover were close to a winner when Davidson-Miller got through again after a Ferron cross, but a last-ditch tackle thwarted the effort.

Ironmonger came on for Ryder in the closing minutes, before Ferron had a shot high and wide, as the game ended with just the one point for the home side.

by Philip Gascoigne

It was a learning curve for Mickleover’s young Reserves at top of the table Clay Cross Town on Saturday, losing 1-3 to physically stronger team.

 Sports had Will Robinson sent off for clumsy tackle at 2-1. A harsh decision was the general opinion. Regan Eldridge and Finnlay Hunter scored for the dots, with Fin Ryder replying for Mickleover.

But  all credit to Sports who took game to them, but a quick break finished them off late on as Josh Scully made it 3-1.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover Reserves started their Central Midlands League Premier Division South campaign with a 2-1 win at Mansfield Hosiery Mills last Friday evening.

Only six minutes into the game Ben Horleston gave Mickleover the lead and it stayed 1-0 at half-time.

The hosts were a greatly improved side to last season and after just five minutes of the second half Elliot Nunn equalised.

Mickleover secured all three points though when George Atwal converted a 74^th penalty.

The Reserves are away again in their next game, when they visit Clay Cross next Saturday.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover Reserves Central Midlands Premier Division South campaign gets underway on Friday, with a visit to Mansfield Hosiery Mills, kick off 7.45pm.

Dave Mackenzie’s team were the leagues top scorers last season and finished second in the table, just four points behind Champions Blidworth.

Blidworth are one of five teams that have moved on, with Long Eaton Community, Rowsley, Sherwood Colliery Reserves joined more recently by the resignation of our neighbours Hilton Harriers.

New to the league are Cromford & Wirksworth Town, Clay Cross Town and more locally Derby Singh Brothers and Graham Street Prims.

Following Friday evenings visit to Mansfield, we are away again at Clay Cross on Saturday 13^th, before our first home game with Holbrook St Michaels on Tuesday 23^rd at 7.45pm.

Following Aaron Hayer’s departure to take over at Borrowash Vic’s, Leigh Parr joins Dave Mack as the teams assistant manager and coach.

by Peter Scherer

It was their first full season in the Central Midlands Premier Division South, but Mickleover Reserves only missed out to Blidworth in the title race by four points.

Unlike previous years, the team was formed around the previous years title Academy title winning team, with the addition of a little experience at times.

After an opening win at South Normanton, the pace and scoring ability of the team soon became evident. 

Three successive wins followed over the next 10 days, scoring 19 goals and conceding two, nine of which were scored by Devon Smith.

They suffered a rare defeat at home to Long Eaton and were dumped out of the cup 0-5 at home to Staveley MW.

Defeats away to Linby and Pinxton triggered new resolve and determination from the youngsters, with six consecutive victories putting them right back into the title hunt.

They hit seven goals against Teversal, eight against Arnold and another seven each against Mansfield Hosiery and South Normanton, including a hattrick for Pablo Mills.

Mills, gaffer John McGrath, Andrew Wright and George Milner all came in for occasional appearances and there was even an appearance from the legendary Clinton Morrison.

After his early season goal blitz Smith had a long spell out injured and it was Fin Barker hitting the headlines, with four at home to Rowsley and five at home to Ashland to reach a seasons total of 29.

Dead ball specialist George Atwal was a regular scorer too with 20 over the season, while Smith’s return finally accrued him 14.

Atwal, Will Robinson, Ben Lewin, Josh Satchwell, Ethan Mann, Bobby Battisson and Jacob Edge-Lucas had all been part of the early season success, but with casualties in the first team they all became part of the NPL squad.

Fin Bowen wasn’t the busiest man in the team, before performed his goalkeeping duties with confidence, while Cam Anthony looked a strong pairing at the back with Mann or Robinson.

Jude Ayetine and Lopes Massampo were just a couple of the old guard who played their part too, Ayetine netting six times too.

Ben Horleston progressed match by match and also scored five goals, while Louis Benjamin shows glimpses of promise too.

They were captained early season by Larrel King, who moved to Long Eaton, Edge-Lucas also departed for Belper Town in the New Year, and Battisson signed his first pro contract with FC Europa in Gibraltar.

For a while Dave Mackenzie and Aaron Hayer had to work with a tiny squad, but the whole team pulled together and looked like title contenders until consecutive at Mickleover RBL and Hilton Harriers ended their challenge in mid April.

20 different players were on the scoresheet as they shared a massive 116 goal tally, so watch out Central Midlands League Premier South, they’re coming to get you!!

One notable face will be absent from the bench next year, as Aaron Hayer has decided to move on after three years.

A familiar voice at both reserve and first team games, his all round enthusiasm will be missed. He even scored a goal for the reserve side this season!!