by Peter Scherer
As Mickleover seek to consolidate their three-point lead at the top of the table, they face third in the table Hitchin Town at the Don Amott Arena on Saturday.
Hitchin beat St.Ives 3-1 last Saturday, and had wins over Alvechurch and Long Eaton too, but went down 0-2 at Needham Market.
Long serving manager Mark Burke has retained much of his squad from last year, which saw the Canaries do the double over Sports, 1-4 on our visit to Top Field last November and 1-2 on the return in January.
Goalkeeper Charlie Horlock has been at Top Field for four years, since signing from Hastings Utd. He started his junior football at Wycombe Wanderers and Stevenage and was loaned to Hendon and Harrow, before coming to Hitchin on loan too in November 2014. He then made a permanent move to our visitors a year later, before moving to Eastbourne.
Josh Mollison is the second choice keeper and Academy coach. A former Hitchin youth player he had loans at Biggleswade, Barton Rovers, Potton Utd and Eynesbury Rovers too.
Full back Stan Georgiou is a home- grown talent who has been a regular starter since the second half of 22/23 season. He captained the clubs Youth Cup team and also had a loan spell at Letchworth Garden City Eagles.
Kye Tearle is a defender or midfielder who came from the Pro Direct Academy in Baldock. He is in his fourth season with the first team squad, while fellow defender Lewis Barker arrived at the start of the 2019/20 season, after five years at Baldock Town
Toby Syme is s full back in his second spell with the club. He came from one Canaries team to another, after leaving Norwich City in 2017. He moved on to Kings Langley a year later, before spells at Leverstock, Tring Athletic and Harpenden, were followed by his return to Top Field in August 2022.
Defender Layne Eadie came from Harlow Town. He started with Luton Town and Stevenage, moving on to Leighton, Barton Rovers and Biggleswade, before his first spell with St.Albans. In 2013 he joined Harlow and has played at Wingate too, before his first stop at Hitchin in 2019. He had further spells at St Albans and Harlow before coming back to Hitchin.
Centre back Ciaren Jones is an ex Luton Town and Norwich Norwich City Junior too. He started last season at Brackley, having joined them from Gloucester City in July 2022. He also played for South Shields and spent a week at Hitchin in 2020, before his move to Gloucester.
Irish midfielder Stephen Gleeson was spotted by Wolves when he was playing junior football for Chery Orchard FC. He spent a few years on loan at Stockport County before a permanent move to Mk Dons. He then moved on to Birmingham City, Ipswich and Aberdeen, before coming back to England with Solihull Moors. He came to Hitchin in November 2021 after four months at Hemel.
He was capped by the Republic of Ireland at full, Under 17, 18, 19 and 21 levels and has played over 40 league games in the Championship, League One & Two and Scottish Premiership, scoring 27 goals.
Defender or midfielder Malaki Black arrived from MK Dons in July 2021, while fellow midfielder Bradley Bell arrived for his second spell during last summer, from Barton Rovers. He had initially left to join Biggleswade in 2020 and has also played for Royston and Cambridge City, having started at MK Dons.
Kavan Cotter is a defensive midfielder and a former Arsenal, QPR and Luton Town junior. He was loaned to Hitchin in 2017 and Oxford City, but after his release from the Hatters he joined Hemel. He moved on again after one season, joining Wealdstone for a two year spell, arriving at our visitors in March from Wingate FC.
Isaac Galliford is another former Luton Town junior and England C International. He was loaned to St.Neots before his release, but then headed for the US, spending two years with Butler Bulldogs. On his return in 2018 he spent a year at Hitchin, before moving to Hemel, Royston, Hendon and Potters Bar. He came to our visitors pre-season from Kings Langley.
Striker Diogo Freitas-Gouveia originally came to Hitchin on loan from Colchester Utd in 2019/20. He was also loaned to Brightlingsea and Maldon & Tiptree, but made his move to our guests permanent following his release during last summer.
Jack Snelus arrived from Rushden & Diamonds in September last year. The striker scored one of the goals in their opening win over Alvechurch. He was another ex Luton Junior and has also played for Hemel and St.Ives Town.
Midfielder Finley Wilkinson was signed last summer from Histon, after coming through their Youth Scheme. He scored in their wins against Alvechurch and Long Eaton.
Striker Ashley Hay is another ex Luton Junior. He went to Baldock Town on his release, but came to Hitchin in September last year from Biggleswade.
Daniel Idiakboa came to Hitchin on loan from Luton last December, having previously been at Newport Pagnall. The young midfielder has now returned on loan again from the seasons start.
Finally Jermiah Luwero is a striker who played for Woodford Town and Staines before joining Hitchin.
Kick as usual is 3pm, SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL TEAM!!