by Peter Scherer
It may have been a Stockton Town player that got the last touch, but it was an early but decisive goal for Mickleover and more importantly three points!
Starting line-up: 1-Yusuf Mersin 2-Ryan Wilson 3-Kwaku Donkor 4-Will Atkinson 5-George Wilkinson 6-Danny Benson 7-Marcus Barnes 8-Gabby Adebambo 9-Chris O’Grady 10-Andy Dales 11-Samson Hewett. Subs: Josh Carter, Finn Flanagan, Dylan Edwards, Stuart Beavon, Brandon Ferron.
It was a lively start with chances at both ends. Dales cut inside from the wing and fired over for Mickleover, while Fowler picked up on a King cross for the visitors, but his header was just wide.
A few minutes later Adebambo’s long range effort was tipped over by Stockton’s keeper Harker, before Mersin kept out a Sweet shot, after corner.
The goal came 12 minutes in, when Barnes outpaced the defence on the wing, as he drove his cross into the box, Harker palmed it away initially, only to hit defender Gallacher and watch it roll into the bottom corner 1-0.
Mickleover’s back line had survived the initial onslaught from the visitors, and following the goal had the upperhand for the rest of the half.
Gallacher made a crucial last-minute tackle after 31 minutes, but a couple of minutes later another King cross set up Sweet, but he shot over the bar again. Barnes completed the half with a tame shot that failed to challenge the keeper, but it remained 1-0 at half-time.
Only six minutes into the second Mickleover could have gone two up, when Dales found O’Grady unmarked in the middle. But unfortunately the burly striker shot over the bar.
Former Sports loanee Josh Scott had a chance too for Stockton, but his 55th minute header was straight into Mersin’s hands.
As the hour mark approached Mickleover made their first change with Edwards replacing Hewett, just before Dales had the ball in the net only to be ruled offside.
Edwards sent a powerful effort goalwards after 73 minutes, only for it rise over the bar and out of danger. But Stockton were still up for any opportunity to break and three minutes later defender Leech, put a low shot wide.
Seven minutes left on the clock Mersin pulled off another great save, as Mickleover closed ranks again. Debutant Flanagan then replaced Dales for the last six minutes and then another break from Barnes had set up O’Grady, but a great save from Harker denied him again.
Barnes then made way for Carter, by which time the points were secure.
