by Peter Scherer (Images by Steve Ingers)
For the second time this season Mickleover left Leek Town as winners, this time in the FA Trophy.
Starting line-up: 1.Yusuf Mersin 2.Jake Bennett 3.Ryan Wilson 4.Curtis Weston 5.Danny Benson 6.Will Atkinson 7.Dylan Edwards 8.Charlie Hickinbottom 9.Stuart Beavon 10.Ceiron Keane 11.Marcus Barnes. Subs: Fin Ryder, Callum Moore, Brandon Ferron, Jahvan Davidson-Miller, George Taft.
Only two minutes in and Beavon went close to opening the scoring for Mickleover, with a close range shot just wide of the left hand post. 10 minutes later Barnes went close too, collecting a long through ball from Beavon, his looping shot was just wide of the left hand post. Sports were looking far more dominant than in their August visit and continued to keep the hosts on the defensive.
A Wilson free kick was comfortably collected by keeper Visser as it rebounded off the wall after 14 minutes, but Mickleover were forced to make an early change. Beavon had taken an earlier knock and was replaced by Davidson-Miller after 28 minutes.
Visser was in action again with a 31st minute tip over, following an excellent distance shot from Keane. Bennett then found Wilson, but his fairly tame shot was easily taken by Visser.
Mickleover were continuing to dominate and Keane’s charge down the left found Edwards in space after 35 minutes, but his effort failed to trouble Visser too and was cleared.
Barnes tried to test the keeper again three minutes later, but the final effort was straight at him and it remained 0-0 as the half time whistle went.
The second half started in a similar vain after Edwards sent Barnes on a run into the box 55 minutes in. His effort was blocked though but earned a corner.
Mickleover finally got the break two minutes later, when Edwards was brought down in the box his namesake Liam. The penalty was buried in the bottom corner well out if Visser’s reach 1-0.
Davidson-Miller then led a break down the left, finding Edwards as he cut inside, but the final shot was saved again. Onyeka led a rare attack for Leek after 67 minutes, but his shot was well held by Mersin.
Ferron and Taft came on for Davidson-Miller and Weston, before Barnes almost snatched a second for Mickleover. He had run on to a long ball over the top, beat the centre back but fired just wide of the right hand post.
Mersin made a decisive block from a late Leek attack, but the 1-0 win was secure as we look forward to the FA Trophy first round proper draw.
