League: DCFA Senior Challenge Cup

Matlock Town vs Mickleover F.C.

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Matlock Town vs Mickleover F.C.

QUARTER FINAL
COWARDEN SENIOR CHALLENGE CUP

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Mickleover F.C. vs Belper Town

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Long Eaton United vs Mickleover F.C.

CUP DEFEAT TO LOCAL NEIGHBOURS

It was a short trip down the road to visit Long Eaton Utd last night for Mickleover, as they contested the third round of the Derbyshire Senior Cup.

Starting line-up: 1-Oliver Bosworth 2-Lucas Yeomans 3-Rhys Dolan 4-Ethan Mann 5-James Butler 6-Phil Watt 7-Fin Barker 8-Mitchell Rose 9-Kai Moore 10-Lekan Osideko 11-Oli Greaves. Subs: Ben Horleston, Andy Dales, Brandon Ferron, Stuart Beavon.

It was a fairly bright start from Mickleover on a bitterly cold evening at Grange Park. Only four minutes in and keeper Sam Wilson failed to hold Greaves’ shot, before Moore’s rebound effort was blocked to earn the first corner.

Four minutes later Jamie Walker put in a telling cross for Long Eaton, but there was no one on the receiving end.

But it was Mickleover looking the more dangerous, with Osideko jinking his way through the defence after 10 minutes, following a good build up down the left, but Brad Wilson blocked the final shot.

Long Eaton then went on the attack with down the Mickleover right, before the following cross was cut out. Debutant Riley Phillips then broke clear and fired in a long range shot, intercepted by Dolan just inside the box.

The hosts confidence began to grow as they started to restrict Mickleover’s attack. Tom Cursons was then on the end of a good build up, but his shot was high and wide of Bosworth’s left-hand post.

Only a minute later Bosworth cut out a Long Eaton cross into the box, before Sports earned another corner, following a quick break and Greaves had his shot blocked again.

Cursons went close after 19 minutes, shooting just wide of the left-hand post, and managed to free himself from the shackles of the Sports defence again, shortly afterwards.

But after 21 minutes Ben Hutchinson picked up the ball outside the box, weighed up his options and fired in a rocket shot into Bosworth’s top left-hand corner, 0-1.

Osideko led a Sports attack a couple of minutes later, he got space and found Barker, but the final shot was wide of the left-hand upright.

Mickleover’s best chance of the whole game came after 28 minutes, when Barker had done the hard work, had his head down and heading for goal after being set up by Moore. A goal looked almost a certainty, but the shot was over the bar again.

Three minutes later Long Eaton went close again from a Rogers free kick, as the hosts were moving the ball quicker and more accurately than Mickleover.

Barker was close in on goal again just after the half hour, but the advancing keeper Wilson just got there first and then Parker, Hutchinson and Walker combined with Walker’s effort well over the bar following a cross from the right.

Moore tried to send Osideko on a run, but Greaves was then scythed down by Tyreece Robinson just outside the box, but directly in front of goal. The defender was yellow carded, while Greaves took the free kick himself, putting it wide of the left-hand post.

The first half finished with the hosts on the attack again, Wilson found Cursons, but Hutchinson’s effort failed to trouble Bosworth again.

Mickleover made two half time changes, as Beavon and Dales came on for Yeomans and Moore.

Dales had a couple of early runs, but had his route cut off by some uncompromising defending, but after a couple of less direct attacks by the hosts, Barker almost broke through after 51 minutes, but took it a yard too far and lost out.

As Beavon attempted to shield the ball, Cox started kicking lumps out of the strikers ankles, despite being directly in front of the assistant referee, he never saw it!

The officials did however see a shoulder to shoulder charge by Butler on the burly Cussons and awarded a free kick. Marshall’s kick was on target and brought out an excellent diving save to his right from Bosworth.

There was little being created from midfield by Mickleover, despite Greaves being busy all over the field, while Rose sometimes seemed to be deeper than the defence.

The strikers were having to try and make long runs, and after 55 minutes Barker almost got Osideko through, while at the other end Bosworth was looking safe and reliable after coping with the hosts free kicks and corners relatively easily.

Almost on the hour Greaves sent in a short pass from the right, which was whipped off Beavon’s toes at the last minute and then Greaves found Mann on the right again. Beavon was on the receiving end but he just missed out on his first touch shot.

Phillips led another Long Eaton break, but Bosworth took the cross cleanly to his right. But Sports had started to push forward more with time running out. Dales found Barker on the right, his cross found Osideko, whose header was off target.

Butler had a header just over from a Greaves free kick and with 15 minutes left, Horleston came on for Barker.

Dales had a shot blocked after 80 minutes and then Bertram tried his luck from long distance for Long Eaton, but was high and wide again.

Horleston, Beavon and Dales created a chance on the edge of the box, but the final shot was too close to keeper Wilson. There was then a succession of corners, with the final one headed over by Watt.

In the final minutes Dales tried to lead an attack, passed inside to Rose whose shot was blocked, and then tried himself with the same result.

Apart from the one goal which was out of the blue, Long Eaton’s threat was fairly comfortably dealt with by Yeomans, Dolan, Butler, Mann and skipper Watt. It was midfield though that looked out of balance and failed to provide for the strikers.

It was good to see both Barker and Moore get again, as well as debutant keeper Bosworth. 

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Mickleover Sports vs Long Eaton United

by Andrew Maddox

Mickleover Sports fell to a disappointing defeat to Long Eaton United to end our Derbyshire Senior Cup campaign, courtesty of a hat-trick from Niall Towle.

The first of his goals came against the run of play. Picking up a loose ball, Towle fired low into the bottom corner in the 32nd minute. This came 15 minutes after Sports had opened the scoring through Jiri Boula. The best goal of the night, Boula picked up the ball just outside the box and curled a beautiful shot past Long Eaton ‘keeper Jason White. Prior to Towle’s first goal, Sports were dominating the play and the chances, with Stuart Beavon and debutante Patrick Jarrett threatening White’s net. Sports also responded to the equaliser well, with Nathan Modest having a plethora of chances. He also had the ball in the net just before half time, but it was chalked off for offside.

The second half got off to a nightmare start for Sports, giving away a penalty within eight minutes of the restart. This was duly converted by Towle for his second of the night. Sports again dominated possession following the goal, but the win was taken out of their sails following an injury to Jiri Boula in the 63rd minute. Just seven minutes later, Cameron Hawkes won a second penalty after he was brought down in the box. Towle fired into the top left corner to complete his hat-trick. Sports never bounced back from this and there was a lack of creativity going forward. Nathan Broome did his best to stop the score line getting any worse, but it was Broome that was at fault for the fourth. Being caught out of his box, he opened himself up to be lobbed from range by Towle’s replacement, David Kolodywski. Despite a late push from makeshift striker Pablo Mills, which resulted in a consolation own goal in stoppage time, it wasn’t to be for John McGrath’s men.

Sports are back in the league on Saturday, facing Witton Albion at home.

Mickleover Sports 2-4 Long Eaton United
Tuesday 5th November
Don Amott Arena

Mickleover XI: 

  1. Nathan Broome
  2. Karel Tvaroh
  3. Jay McGrath
  4. Ricky Ravenhill
  5. Pablo Mills
  6. Durrell Berry
  7. Jiri Boula
  8. Patrick Jarrett
  9. Nathan Modest
  10. Stuart Beavon
  11. Richard Bachelor

Long Eaton United XI:

  1. Jason White
  2. Brad Wilson
  3. Ryan Mead
  4. James Cullingworth
  5. Mason Rowley
  6. Kieran Walker
  7. James Taylor
  8. Jude Brittain
  9. Niall Towle
  10. Cameron Hawkes
  11. Rhys Dolan
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Mickleover Sports vs Alfreton Town

Mickleover Sports 1-2 Alfreton Town
Wednesday 24th April 2019
Derbyshire FA Senior Cup Final
Written by Kerry Goldsworthy

Mickleover came into this game aiming to win. Sports manager John McGrath had a tough decision to make when picking out a team but put out a good 4-4-2 formation with Lewis King in goal. The back four consisted of Jake Scott, Pablo Mills, Marcus Calderone and Mason Warren. The midfield consisted of Ricky Ravenhill, Jimmy Phillips, Jiri Boula and Adam Prusa. The two front strikers consisted of Shaquille McDonald and Jack Thatcher. The bench consisted of Ben Turner, Karel Tvaroh, Evan Garnett, Jack Walsh and Elliot Murray.

First half commenced and on the 3rd minute, Mickleover with a huge chance with Jiri Boula’s shot deflected by Alfreton keeper Sam Ramsbottom and out for a corner. Mason Warren took the corner but due to a collision in the box, referee blew for an Alfreton free kick. On the 5th minute, huge chance came for Alfreton but Danny O’Brien’s shot went wide of the goal. On the 9th minute, Alfreton scored. A little dink from Jordan Sinnott to Danny O’Brien went over the head of Lewis King and in for Alfreton to lead. On the 13th minute, Sports applied pressure and almost equalised by Jiri Boula but his shot was deflected for a corner. Mason Warren took the corner but went over the bar. On the 16th minute, huge chance came for Mickleover as Pablo regained possession for the Sports and dinked it to Shaquille McDonald but could not quite reach Shaquille and went out for a throw in. A minute later and a huge chance came for Alfreton to score again but Danny O’Brien’s shot went over the bar. On the 18th minute, chance for Alfreton as Danny O’Brien took the corner and dinked it to Jordan Sinnott but is saved into the hands of Sports keeper Lewis King. On the 24th minute, chance came for Alfreton but Danny O’Brien’s shot was saved by Lewis King. Three minutes later and Sports had a chance to equalise with Shaquille McDonald’s first chance then Adam Prusa had a go but hit the cross bar and went out of play. On the 41st minute, Sports should have equalised with Shaquille McDonalds shot but was flagged offside.

Half Time: Mickleover Sports 0-1 Alfreton Town

Second half commenced and Sports made two substitutions with Ben Turner and Jack Walsh replacing Jiri Boula and Jack Thatcher. On the 50th minute, chance came for Sports with Shaquille’s shot rolling out of play for a Alfreton goal kick. On the 55th minute, another huge chance came for Sports with excellent play from Pablo Mills who sent it to Adam Prusa but his shot was kicked out by Sam Ramsbottom. On the 58th minute, chance came for Sports with Jimmy Phillips keeping the ball in play and sent it to Pablo but could not reach Pablo’s head and went out wide. On the 62nd minute, a huge chance came for Sports but Pablo’s shot went wide. On the 67th minute, Sports were awarded a penalty after Shaquille went down. Shaquille was ok to continue and took the penalty in which blasted past Sam Ramsbottom and gave Sports the equaliser. On the 77th minute, Sports made their final substitution with Evan Garnett replacing Shaquille McDonald. On the 86th minute, Alfreton scored again with Danny O’Brien’s shot dinked over Lewis King and into the goal.

Full Time: Mickleover Sports 1-2 Alfreton Town

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Mickleover Sports vs Clay Cross Town

Mickleover Sports 4-1 Clay Cross Town
Derbyshire FA Senior Cup Semi-Final
Tuesday 8th January 2019
Written by Kerry Goldsworthy

Mickleover went into this game eyeing the prize of going into the Derbyshire FA Senior Cup final. Sports manager John McGrath put out a good 4-2-3-1 formation with Callum Hawkins in goal. The back four consisted of Jake Scott, Mason Warren, Pablo Mills and Durrell Berry. The two holding midfielders consisted of John McGrath and Ricky Ravenhill. The three attacking midfielders consisted of Adam Prusa, Kyle Carey and Jimmy Phillips who were sitting behind lone striker Nathan Jarman. The bench consisted of Shaquille McDonald, Evan Garnett, Ted Cribley, Jack Walsh and Tom Eccleshall.

First half commenced and on the 3rd minute, chance came for Sports with Nathan Jarman who played the ball to Kyle Carey and he took a shot, but the shot went over the bar. On the 12th minute, chance came for Sports with Adam Prusa having a shot but went straight to keeper. Sports had the most chances to score throughout the first 15 minutes of the match. On the 17th minute, another chance came for Sports with John McGrath having a shot, but his shot went straight to the keeper. A minute later and Sports were so close to goal, but his shot hit the crossbar of the goal post. On the 27th minute, another chance came for Sports from a free kick. John McGrath took the free kick and found the head of Pablo Mills, but his shot fell into the keeper’s hands.

On the 31st minute, chance came for Clay Cross with Callum Lytham’s shot went out wide of the right side of the post. Two minutes later and a huge chance came for Sports, but Jake Scott’s shot hit the post. On the 35th minute, Mason Warren had a chance to score but his cross met the hands of the Clay Cross keeper. On the 37th minute, chance came for Clay Cross after a free kick. Josh Scully took the free kick but met the hands of Callum Hawkins. Callum kicked the ball out of the area and met Adam Prusa. Sports had a chance with Adam Prusa’s shot but went over the bar. On the 40th minute, huge chance came for Clay Cross. Josh Parfitt had the shot but went out wide of the left-hand post. On the 41st minute, a penalty was awarded to Sports. Ricky Ravenhill was taken out inside the box and the referee showed no hesitation and gave Sports a penalty. Nathan Jarman stepped up to take the penalty and smashed it past the goalkeeper to give Sports the lead on the 43rd minute.

Half Time: Mickleover Sports 1-0 Clay Cross Town

Second half commenced and on the 48th minute, chance came for Sports. Kyle Carey is played in but could not get a clean contact and went out for a goal kick. On the 55th minute, chance came for Sports. John McGrath took the corner and met Jimmy Phillips, but his shot went out wide of the left-hand post. On the 56th minute, chance came for Sports with Adam Prusa who sent the ball to Nathan Jarman, but his shot was deflected out for a corner. John McGrath took the corner and met Pablo Mills, but his shot was over the bar. 59th minute, massive chance came for Sports with Kyle Carey’s shot going over the bar. On the 65th minute, Clay Cross equalise after a free kick was awarded. Josh Scully took the free kick and went over the wall past Callum Hawkins. On the 67th minute, chance came for Sports. From a Ricky Ravenhill shot, the keeper parried it to the path of Adam Prusa, but his shot went out wide of the left-hand post. On the 69th minute, goal came for Sports. From a John McGrath corner, the ball struck towards goal by many Sports players, but it was Nathan Jarman who smashed it past the goalkeeper. On the 70th minute, Sports made a substitution with Shaquille McDonald replacing John McGrath.

On the 73rd minute, Sports scored again. An excellent cross from Kyle Carey on the right side of the box met Nathan Jarman and smashed it into the bottom left corner of the goal to give Sports the lead. On the 76th minute, Sports made their second substitution with hat trick scorer Nathan Jarman replaced by Evan Garnett. On the 80th minute, Sports made their final substitution with Jack Walsh replacing Jimmy Phillips. On the 85th minute, huge chance came for Sports. Shaquille McDonald did the hard bit and took it round the keeper but was blocked on the line by one of the Clay Cross defenders. On the 88th minute, Sports score again. A neat play from Sports set up Shaquille McDonald who got his 6th game in 6 games after the ball smashed past the keeper. Throughout the added minutes, Kyle Carey and Shaquille McDonald had chances but both efforts went over the bar. Pablo Mills also had a chance to score during added time with an amazing free kick, but his shot hit the post.
Full Time: Mickleover Sports 4-1 Clay Cross Town.

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Mickleover Sports vs Belper United

Mickleover Sports 3-1 Belper United
Derbyshire FA Senior Cup Quarter Final
Tuesday 4th December 2018
Written by Kerry Goldsworthy

Sports manager put out a strong 4-4-2 formation consisting of Lewis King in goal, a back four of Jake Scott, Mason Warren, Pablo Mills and Tom Burgin, a midfield of John McGrath, Ted Cribley, Ricky Ravenhill and Jimmy Phillips, and up top were Adam Prusa and Nathan Jarman. The Sports bench consisted of Finn Parkin, Reece Ford, Tom Eccleshall, Jiri Boula and Karel Tvaroh.

The first goal came in the 4th minute for the Sports. Ted Cribley cut inside the Belper defence and played it to Jimmy Phillips. Jimmy smashed the ball outside the box low hard and into the bottom left corner. A chance came for Belper to equalise as James Rushby sent a free header towards the goal but went across wide of the right hand of the post. Three minutes later, Belper get the equaliser after Belper were awarded a free kick. Ben Gowling takes the free kick and went under the hands of Lewis King and into the bottom left corner.

A big chance came for Belper on the 32nd minute after a mistake in defence and Ryan Baker got the ball. Ryan Baker took the shot but went over the bar. Two minutes later, a chance for Sports to take the lead but Nathan Jarman’s effort from outside the box went over the bar. On the 44th minute, another chance came for Sports. Sports manager John McGrath cut through the Belper back line, but his shot went wide of the right hand of the post.

Half Time: Mickleover Sports 1-1 Belper United

Three minutes into the second half, Belper nearly scored. Ryan Baker got the ball and went for goal but went over the bar. On the 57th minute Sports made a substitution. Karel Tvaroh came on to replace Jake Scott. Since coming on, Karel Tvaroh made an impact with many passes for Sports to take the lead. On the 67th minute, Karel Tvaroh did it again. Karel Tvaroh burst into the box after an excellent pass from John McGrath, but his shot went over the bar. Two minutes later and Jimmy Phillips did it again. Excellent 1-2 play between Czech Republic internationals Adam Prusa and Karel Tvaroh sent the ball to Jimmy Phillips who placed the ball under the Belper Keeper and into the bottom left corner.

A double change was made for Sports with Ricky Ravenhill and Ted Cribley coming off with slight knocks. Tom Eccleshall and Jiri Boula replaced them. On the 80th minute, a third goal came for Sports. Nathan Jarman showed his skills in the box and dunk his lob over the Belper keeper and into the bottom right corner. On the 86th minute, Lewis King made a fantastic save with James Rushby’s shot from close range saved by the Sports keeper. On the 89th minute, Sports nearly scored another. Jiri Boula was sent the ball by John McGrath but the Belper keeper saved the shot from close range. Sports were awarded a corner. John McGrath took the corner and met Pablo Mills head but was put out wide of the right-hand post. On the 91st minute, a double chance to score again from the Czech Republic internationals. Both Shots from Jiri Boula and Adam Prusa went out wide of the post.

Full Time: Mickleover Sports 3-1 Belper United.

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