by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)
The points were shared at the Vibrant Doors Arena on Tuesday evening as Mickleover came from behind to ensure that the points were shared against Coleshill Town in the Northern Premier League Midlands Division.
1-Aaron Chapman 2-Darryl Powell 3-Sam Sanders 4-Will Atkinson 5-Hamza Bencherif 6-Dwayne Wiley 7-Andy Dales 8-Josh Ashman 9-Kane Richards 10-Jude Taylor 11-Theo Rowe
Subs: Norkett, Josh Carter, Hickingbottom, Zoko, Beavon
It was Mickleover who came out of the blocks the faster of the two sides, getting hold of possession from the first whistle; something they had struggled with last time out. It was clear from the get-go that the midfield of Josh Ashman and Will Atkinson were looking to press Coleshill high up the pitch.
Atkinson had the first opportunity of the match by doing just that. The midfielder snuck up behind his man and snatched the ball off him, before unleashing an effort that was dragged wide of the left post.
Five minutes later, the Sports were threatening again, this time with Andy Dales as the ball deflected kindly to the winger on the left side of the box. However, the Coleshill defence got back in shape, and Dales’ effort was sent behind for a corner. Nevertheless, it had been an encouraging opening ten minutes for Mickleover.
Despite the start that they enjoyed, it was Coleshill who would take the lead of proceedings in the 13th minute. Dwayne Wiley brought down his man in the box, as the referee pointed for the spot kick.
Benjamin Usher-Shipway was the man to step up for Coleshill and converted neatly with an effort straight down the throat of the goal.
Mickleover would pick their heads up and go again, now chasing the game as they had been in their weekend victory over Sutton Coldfield; there was still plenty of time to flip this game on it’s head.
The 24th minute saw another good chance for the Sports as Theo Rowe, who had been battling hard down the right so far, cut inside and broke into the box before fizzing a ball across goal.
It was a delightful pass that, with any touch, would have likely ended up in the back of the net, but nobody was able to get a foot on it as the chance went begging for Mickleover, letting Coleshill off the hook.
Moments later, Cameron Belford in the Coleshill goal made a strong double save from a corner to deny Kane Richards the equalising goal.
The Sports had been much the better side in the opening half, but would enter the break behind, with 45 minutes to change that coming up.
In the opening stages of the second half, there were a couple of close calls for Mickleover, particularly in the 47th minute as an inviting delivery into the box was headed just wide of the top left corner.
Three minutes later, Coleshill had squeezed the ball into the back of the net, but the offside flag came to Mickleover’s aid on this occasion, ensuring their task did not become any greater.
Twenty minutes into the second half, with no real clear-cut chances seemingly coming in the direction of the Sports, Gareth Holmes turned to his bench, bringing on Stuart Beavon and Charlie Hickingbottom in place of Jude Taylor and Atkinson, respectively.
Beavon, who had played the full ninety minutes against Sutton Coldfield at the weekend, offered something different going forward, throwing himself into aerial duels and often coming out on top.
The substitution turned out to be a fruitful one for the Sports, as in the 74th minute, Beavon found the back of the net to level the game for his side and open his account for the season.
It came from a corner, as Dwayne Wiley flicked the ball on with his head, and Beavon rose the highest to head it past Belford and finally breach what had been a stubborn Coleshill backline.
With 15 minutes to go, the Sports began to set their sights on a late winner, something that was becoming a trademark of their season. A masked Manni Norkett also entered the field, looking to leave his mark on the match.
All the momentum was in the Sports’ direction as they tried to find the winner, but time was running out quickly. However, just before injury time, Mickleover would go down to ten men. A challenge seemingly sparked a reaction out of Hickingbottom, a reaction that the referee deemed worthy of a red card, as the substitute’s evening came to a premature end.
With six minutes of injury time, Mickleover were ultimately unable to find the winning goal as the points were shared on the evening. It was a game that the Sports may feel like they could have won, but nevertheless it is another point added to their tally. A tough FA Cup tie against Halesowen Town now awaits them at the weekend.
