by Peter Scherer
Despite winning on the opening day of the season, Mickleover Reserves are still seeking to add to those three points. But three goals in a seven-minute period of the first half at Gresley Rovers made it seven successive defeats.
Starting line-up: 1-Josh Bull 2-Mason Hoult 3-Efram Rolleston 4-Fin Riggott 5-Joe Moore 6-Michael Laskiewicz 7-Josh Powell 8-Mason Chadwick 9-Shujah Ali 10-George Cunningham 11-Mikey Mandimutsira. Subs: Jaydon Wilkes, Alfie Godfrey, Philip Etinosa, Mason Wright, Dylan Buckley-Moore.
Mickleover won the first corner after two minutes, from which Ali’s shot was blocked. But it was end to end at the start, as four minutes later Gresley tried their first shot, which went wide of the left-hand post.
Gresley started to take charge and only a minute later Hoult managed to make a saving tackle, after the centre of the defence totally capitulated.
But Sports youngsters were quick on the break and Cunningham sent Mandimutsira on a run, but he was intercepted before getting a shot in.
Gresley had a random shot over the bar seven minutes in, but the pressure was beginning to build on the fragile Mickleover defence.
In the 11th minute the ball fell nicely for the hosts central striker just inside the box, he was given time to fire his shot wide of Bull’s diving right hand, with the Sports keeper at full stretch. 0-1.
Mickleover responded with a good run down the right from Hoult, sending Mandimutsira on another run, before being given a very borderline offside.
16 minutes in and it was 0-2 after Laskiewicz was beaten and there was no back up, leaving a clear strike for goal.
Almost from the restart it was 0-3 when the only player in the Mickleover side to react to any threat was keeper Bull. He saved the first shot but with no support the rebound went in and with just 17 minutes gone they were three down.
Bull saved the day from another defensive blunder after 25 minutes, before Gresley finished the second half with another strike well over the bar.
A minute into the second half Powell was fouled on the edge of the box, but his free kick then sailed over the Gresley bar.
Bull had to save another close range effort four minutes later and then after 56 minutes he was forced to tip a free kick over the bar.
Godfrey was the first sub to be used on for Chadwick, but with the hour mark approaching there was another clear strike for our hosts to make it 0-4.
Mickleover managed to pull one back after 62 minutes when Ali was fouled in the box. He stepped up to score the penalty bringing it back to 1-4.
But Gresley were quickly back on the attack forcing another save from Bull, before Mandimutsira almost broke through the home defence, only to have the ball whipped off his toes by the home keeper.
Ali managed to get a shot in which was saved, before he was replaced by Wilkes. But on the 80 minute mark our hosts got their fifth, with Bull given no chance. 1-5.
Wright replaced Powell for the last few minutes, which weren’t able to pass without Bull being forced into more saves, without whom Gresley could easily have doubled their score.
Despite showing glimpses of skill, Mickleover were never really in the game after the first goal, and look to be yearning for an experienced hand to give them guidance on the pitch.
