by Peter Scherer
Mickleover will be looking to extend their unbeaten run to six when they welcome Shepshed Dynamo to the Don Amott Arena on Friday night.
Loan striker Josiah Dyer scored his third goal in last Saturday’s 2-1 win at St.Neots, which puts Sports back into eighth place in the table.
Our visitors had their first win in five games when they secured a 1-0 home win against Boldmere St.Michaels last Saturday, with an 85th minute decider after four successive defeats.
Gary Drake has been in charge at Shepshed since October last year, having previously been assistant and managed Rugby Town at the end of last season, He has also coached in the US, Canada and the UK.
Keeper Dan Wallis came from Stamford at the beginning of last season. He’s a former Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest junior and has played for Matlock Town, Gainsborough, Macclesfield and Corby Town too.
Right back Ben Bayliss arrived pre-season from Anstey Nomads, where he had spent the last five years. He previously played in the Leicester City and Mansfield Town Academies.
Dec Peart is a centre back who started his career with Oxford City. He played for Kidlington and North Leigh before starting last season at Racing Club Warwick. He joined our visitors in November 2024.
Jowan Partridge is a centre back too, signed in pre-season from Royal Wootton Bassett Town. He has played for Nottingham Trent University too, where he currently studies.
Chad Timson came from Loughborough Dynamo. A defender, he has also played for Leicester Nirvana, Hinckley AFC, Kettering Town and Corby Town.
Left back Jack Samples was signed in September on a dual registration with Quorn. E started out at Oadby Town, but has played for Coalville Town, Ashby Ivanhoe and Anstey Nomads too.
Central midfielder Kyle Dixon is in his third season at Shepshed, since arriving from Carlton Town. He started at Notts County and was loaned to Boston Utd, and Telford before going back to Boston following his release. He’s played for Basford, North Ferriby, Coalville, Newark Flowserve, Gainsborough and Belper Town too.
Jude Collins is a midfielder who started out Shrewsbury Town. He joined Barwell following his releasee in August last year and came to Shepshed, firstly on a dual registration a month later.
Also in midfield Jesse Friend came from FC Romania October last year, having started out at Cheshunt
Callum Burkey is another midfielder and started his career at Southend Utd. He joined ADC Sudbury following his release and had a spell at Basildon before joining Coalville Town and came to Shepshed in March last year dual registered.
Central midfielder Niall Prendeville is the clubs longest servant, as he is in his 10th season at the club. He was previously with Holwell Sports, Barrow Town and Quorn.
Rajdeep Palit is a central midfielder too. After starting out at Huddersfield and Bradford City he joined Hull, after a loan spell at Tadcaster. He then joined Barwell in October 2024, before coming to our visitors in pre-season.
Midfielder Jack York came in pre-season and is another dual registered player from Quorn. He started at Holwell Sports.
Winger or attacking midfielder Jack Rogers s a former Derby County youngster. He went to Ilkeston Town after his release, before moving to Long Eaton and Barwell. He spent time at Shepshed on loan from Ilkeston, and made his return last January dual registered with Barwell.
Striker Tristan Dunkley is one of numerous players signed from Barwell. He arrived at the end of August 2024, having started his youth career at Birmingham City. Loughborough Dynamo and Worcester City were his next stops, soon followed by Hednesford, Halesowen, Solihull Moors, Rushall, Tamworth, Alvechurch and a first spell at Barwell. After going to Corby, Bedworth and Bromsgrove, he rejoined Barwell briefly, before coming to Shepshed.
Aaron Korpal is another striker and ex Nottingham Forest junior. He joined Sherwood following his release and has played for Anstey Nomads too, before joining our visitors in September 2024.
Dylan Reason is a striker too, having returned to the club in pre-season after spells with Banbury Utd and Loughborough Students.
Finally Josh Allen is a young striker signed from Barrow Town pre-season, having previously been at Quorn.
Kick off at 7.45 and remember it’s Halloween, so lets Shepshed are the only ones to be scared.