by Harry Day (Images: Steve Ingers)
A late strike from Kane Richards ensured Mickleover’s FA Cup journey lived in a much-improved performance after Monday’s grounding defeat against Loughborough Students
Starting line-up: 1-Aaron Chapman 2-George Wilkinson 3-Sam Sanders 4-Will Atkinson 5-Hamza Bencherif 6-Dwayne Wiley 7-Andy Dales 8-Josh Ashman 9-Manni Norkett 10-Jude Taylor 11-Theo Rowe Subs: Kane Richards, Jack McDowell, Darryl Powell, Yerim Zoko, Stuart Beavon.
It was fair to say that the Sports got on top of possession from the first whistle, as they had their first opportunity just five minutes in through Andy Dales. The ball fell invitingly on the edge of the box for the winger to strike first time, his effort curling away from the goal and drifting narrowly wide of the top right corner.
Stamford were struggling to create anything of note in the opening stages as any long ball was dealt with by a tall Mickleover backline, boosted by the return of Dwayne Wiley, who slotted back into the starting lineup nicely after a period on the sidelines.
A lot of Mickleover’s attacking play in the first half came down the left side of the pitch as Andy Dales continued to be at the heart of the offence. Stamford were allowing him to cut inside at will in the early stages.
The winger came particularly close to opening the scoring in the 17th minute, cutting inside and curling an effort from the edge of the box towards the bottom right corner. It certainly had John Swales in the Stamford goal concerned, but it bounced just past the far post.
The momentum was certainly in the Sports’ favour come the half-hour mark as their opponents had generated very little of any threat and the deeper midfield duo of Will Atkinson and Josh Ashman were putting in a solid display in the central areas.
Five minutes before the break, Mickleover had their best chance of the game so far once again falling in the path of Andy Dales. Having spent much of the opening 45 minutes in Stamford’s half, Mickleover were camped in the final third.
George Wilkinson floated an inviting cross from the right over towards the back post where Dales was lurking. The winger was gifted some space due to some poor marking from Stamford but could not guide his headed effort on target.
It had been a good half from the Sports, a much improved performance from Bank Holiday Monday, but ultimately, the teams would enter the break level as the deadlock remained to be broken.
Whilst Stamford began the second half with a bit more of a spring in their step, the Sports’ defence remained solid. The full-backs were quick to dispose of any threat whilst Wiley remained switched on and always seemed to be in the right areas.
Another man experiencing a much more enjoyable afternoon was Josh Ashman, back in midfield having filled in at the backline throughout the absences of Wiley and Bencherif. He looked comfortable on the ball and added a strong presence in the centre of the pitch.
Just prior to the hour mark, the Sports introduced their first change of the afternoon as Manni Norkett made way for Stuart Beavon as Mickleover continued to hunt for the opening goal of the afternoon.
Beavon did cause some issues going forward, throwing himself into every aerial duel with that relentlessness that serves him so well, winning the ball on multiple occasions in advanced areas.
Sam Sanders came close in the 65th minute as the ball fell to him following a scramble in the box. It was a tough effort for the left-back, who had to strike the ball on the swivel; the effort rose over the bar.
Cieron Keane was the next substitute to be introduced for Mickleover as Will Atkinson made way.
Some neat passes were being played and very nearly led to the first goal of the afternoon as Dales and Beavon linked up wonderfully before the ball was eventually played across to Jude Taylor, who could not guide the ball towards the goal.
The Sports did ride their luck at times in the game, none more so than when Aaron Chapman failed to clear the ball after coming off his line, leaving Stamford with an open goal to fire at; the effort was off target as Mickleover were off the hook.
Kane Richards came on for Jude Taylor with fifteen minutes left to play and very nearly scored the opener five minutes later. Keane fired a low free kick into the box; Richards stretched to get to it, but his effort went over the bar.
This game looked to be heading for a replay, but Richards was determined to leave his mark on this tie. In the 88th minute, a long ball over the top caused issues as the substitute snuck in front of his defender and remained strong before confidently slotting into the bottom left corner to give his side a late lead.
It was enough to secure Mickleover a place in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup as the Sports will now prepare for an FA Trophy clash against Sutton Coldfield.
