by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)
Despite conceding an early goal, Mickleover fought back to take a 2-1 victory over Derby County’s B Team in the Derbyshire Senior Cup quarter final, with goals from Josiah Dyer and Manni Norkett.
Starting line-up: 1-Jack McDowell 2-Archie White 3-Louis Bonser 4-Ross Derham 5-George Wilkinson 6-Danny Benson 7-Thabang Dube 8-Harry Wood 9-Josiah Dyer 10-Andy Dales 11-Pady Webb. Subs: Will Atkinson, Fraser Corden, Brad Gascoigne, Manni Norkett, Stuart Beavon.
The Derby youngsters started with pace and determination and had their first shot after four minutes Cruz Allen’s effort was deflected for a corner, after a strong build up.
Just a minute later Wilkinson cleared off the line, but the opening goal soon followed with Luke Banks giving the Rams the lead, 0-1.
The goal had actually triggered Mickleover positively and after a good run down the left by Bonser after 10 minutes, Webb tried to collect the cross, but keeper Jack Thompson was quick to respond and gathered at the strikers feet.
Just a minute later an error in the Derby defence almost allowed Dales to sneak in, as Sports began to push for the equaliser.
But Derby were still quick on the break and McDowell had to parry a strong shot from Jayden Davidson over the bar.
Dyer almost connected with Webb’s powerful run down the left, but keeper Thompson’s reactions came out on top again.
But after 25 minutes Mickleover won a free kick on the right. Dales lofted the ball into the box and Dyer rose above the defence to head home and make it 1-1.
Dube then beat the defence on the right to send in another perfect cross, but Dyer just missed out on his second as his header went inches over the bar
White was fouled on the half hour, but Dales’ free kick went straight out on play on this occasions, before McDowell pulled off another save from a Cameron Wilson shot.
The pressure continued to be on the Rams defence for the remainder of the first half, Bonser almost connected for a 33rd minute chance, before Dales tried his luck but failed to test Thompson with an easy catch.
Thompson saved again from Dube after Derham had led the build-up, but with five minutes until half time, Derham again put Webb through. But the striker took too much time and lost possession.
Dales was relishing being able to run at a defence without being fouled and with the whistle poised he sliced through again, but Webb’s final shot was blocked.
As in the first half the Rams came out fighting again in the second half, but as the back four of White, Wilkinson, Benson and Bonser held their shape, the initial burst was soon over.
Wood had a couple of early shots blocked and after 52 minutes Webb had a shot saved, after another positive build up on the Mickleover right.
A minute later Dube went on a solo run down the right, but as he cut in his shot hit the side netting.
Skipper Dales was leading by example and repeatedly took on the defence. 58 minutes gone and he fed Webb on the left, with the following cross going across the goal face and out of danger.
Norkett replaced Dyer on the hour and Sports won a corner, there was then a toe poke through a crowded box and with Thompson unsighted the ball went just the wrong side of the post.
The pressure from Mickleover had continued to mount and a second change was made on the 70 minute mark, with Corden on for Dube.
Bonser then created space to feed Norkett, whose tremendous fight and effort saw him beat at least three defenders before slotting past Thompson to make it 2-1.
Sports made another break almost from the kick off, with Thompson again saving from Webb, before Atkinson joined the fray, replacing Wood.
Rather than sit back on their one goal lead, Mickleover continued to be both creative and threatening, and at times were giving the Derby youngsters the run around.
Corden nipped in to try his luck after 79 minutes, but Thompson responded positively. Dales then split the defence again, before Thompson came to the rescue.
Dales then put Webb clear on the left, but his shot was well off target, before both combined yet again to set up Norkett, whose shot was over the bar.
Thompson saved again from Dales again on the 90 minute mark, but the whistle finally went and sees Mickleover into the semi finals as 2-1 winners. They now face Belper Town, Ilkeston Town or Glossop North End, after a dominant second half performance that bodes well for our return to league action at Sutton Coldfield on Saturday.
