by Oscar Kennedy
My first visit to Mickleover FC would be a local rivalry where Mickleover would entertain Alfreton Town FC at the Vibrant Doors Arena in the middle of Storm Boelo.
The anticipated FA Trophy fixture was expecting crowds of about 1000 people however, Storm Boelo had other plans soaking everyone with huge gusts of wind really dampening the day, the crowd and the atmosphere.
Regardless of the weather the loyal supporters still braved the conditions creating a typical non-league no filter atmosphere with the players really playing into it.
My matchday experience started in the soaking rain with gusts of wind that were ready to take me away as I met up with Peter Scherer and Harry Day who have been showing me the ropes to what goes on with the media at Mickleover.
Mickleover FC put on a family friendly display with live music and the managers taking pictures with the next generation off footballers something you would not see in the higher leagues of English football.
As the rain kept pouring and the temperature kept dropping the supporters continued to flow in as we approached kick off, we found shelter under the Fin Bowen stand as the game kicked off.
The game perfectly showed why football fans love non-league so much as each player left their heart on the pitch through passion and pride.
The tackles went flying in from the first whistle with players going into barriers and tensions almost reaching boiling point as the crowd livened up as the game went on and as tensions got higher.
Mickleover came out on top in the first half creating the better chances and leading 1-0 at half-time after a Kane Richards penalty in the 35th minute to put the hosts ahead.
However, the game would get flipped on its head in the second half as Alfreton managed to overturn the 1-0 deficit winning the cup tie 2-1 sending the visitors into the next round of the FA Trophy.
Mickleover FC has taught me that non-league football is much more than the results and the big stars on the pitch, non-league football is all about the community of the football club which keeps each and every club going.
From the volunteers to the supporters every single person knows each other and their back stories creating the family which is Mickleover FC.