by Peter Scherer
It was only a short journey across the city for Mickleover Reserves, as they visited Graham Street Prims last Saturday.
The hosts started strongly and piled on some early pressure, followed by a string of corners.
Mickleover’s first real attack came when Charlie Rock sent a long upfield ball, which set Dean Ironmonger on a run down the right, only to be stopped by two defenders.
Ironmonger and Declan Brown shared a nice exchange, before Brown’s shot was easily taken by the keeper and then Jack Leighton outpaced the defence on the right, but his cross missed the heads in the centre.
Sports were getting into the game more and the home keeper made another save from Brown, after he latched onto a cross from Fin Ryder.
But it was the home side ahead when Brad Daley tapped in at the far post after 24 minutes, following a cross from the Mickleover left 0-1.
Brown had gone off injured and Ryder had a good chance after being set up by Ironmonger. But it could have been a second for Prims when a rare Maher mistake gave the striker a free shot, which fortunately headed skywards.
Mickleover were straight on the attack as the second half got underway, but Leighton was unable to get his cross in after another charge down the right.
But Prims were soon looking dangerous again and went three on one against Rock, who stayed solid and cleared the danger.
Back on the break Zac Sandhu got a cross in for Sports, but there was no one to receive and then Rock found Ryder on the right, following a corner, only for the ref to blow for a foul.
But just after the hour Daley made it two for Prims after break.
There was one last chance for Mickleover when Jake Edge-Lucas’ free kick earned a corner, but it remained 0-2 with Sports still sixth in the table.