by Peter Scherer
After six league games without a win, Mickleover will be hoping to turn the tide as we welcome Boldmere St.Michael’s to the Don Amott Arena on Saturday.
Back in August our visit to Boldmere was our first win of the season, 2-1 with goals from Stuart Beavon and Danny Benson.
Last Saturday it was another late soft goal that lost us the home win over Racing Club Warwick, after a dominant second half. It was a surprise to see Jake Bennett back in action too, as he was expected to be out for the rest of the season. Danny Gordon remains out injured though, but both Jay Alexander and Luke McCormick both made good impressions on their debuts.
Our visitors are level on points with Sports, but behind on goal difference. Their current form is very good though, unbeaten in 2026 apart from visits to Basford and Carlton.
Ben Roberts has been in charge for just over a year, after starting his term as caretaker.
First choice goalkeeper is Jonathan Brown, a vastly experienced player who started his career at Boldmere back in 2014. He spent much of his career at Kidderminster, with various loan spells, before a permanent move to Sutton Coldfield in 2018. Stafford, Alvechurch, Bromsgrove and Hednesford followed, before rejoining Sutton Coldfield, from where he rejoined Boldmere for the start of last season.
Frankie Ealing is a right back who started out at Aston Villa, but following his release he spent last season in the Welsh League with Aberystwyth, until joining our visitors in February 2025.
Centre back Pedro Lima returned to the club in December, after starting the season at Rushall Olympic. He has also played for Sutton Coldfield.
Kye Bilton is another centre back and former Burton Albion Junior, who joined our visitors at the end of last season.
Aris Christophorou was originally signed from Sutton Coldfield in August 2022, but made the return trip 10 months later. An ex Walsall Junior and Cyprus Under 19 international, he’s also played for Nuneaton Borough, Stourbridge, Stafford Rangers and Rushall and rejoined our visitors during the festive period.
Daniel O’Callaghan is a midfielder and club captain, signed in pre-season from Chasetown. He has previously played for Rushall and Sutton Coldfield too.
Central midfielder Jack Burgess started this season at Rushall, before arriving at Boldmere in December. He’s also played for Sutton Coldfield, Stafford Rangers and Walsall Wood.
Kyle Byrne is a winger signed from Shifnal Town in December, while Lewi Burnside only arrived earlier this month. He was a junior at Aston Villa and also played for Lichfield City, before joining our visitors from Chasetown.
Striker Charlie Manners came from Walsall Wood in November 2024, having previously been at Coventry City.
Tolani Omotola is well travelled striker, who joined Boldmere from Bedworth last November. He started out at Tranmere Rovers and among his previous clubs are Coalville, Corby, Barwell, Hyde Utd, Carlton and Long Eaton. Boldmere are his third club this season, having starting it with Rushden & Diamonds.
Fellow striker James Tague joined our visitors in January. He started his junior career with Derby County and Mansfield, before joining Matlock following his release. He’s played for Gainsborough, Basford, Corby, Loughborough Dynamo, Sutton Coldfield and Anstey Nomads too and started this season at Belper Town.
Harry Crook is another returnee striker, and has also played for Chasetown, Dudley Town and Bromsgrove.
Former Walsall winger Jaiy Leydon joined our visitors last month from Coventry Sphinx. He’s also had a loan spell at Redditch.
Midfielders Ben Lund, Connor Armstrong and Fraser Doyle have also been starters in recent weeks and Ben Croot recently made his debut.
The usual bar and catering facilities will be available for our 3pm kick off, and as usual your support would be welcomed.