by Peter Scherer
On Tuesday night we visit second in the table Anstey Nomads, who have worked miracles to get their Cropston Road pitch playable, having been flooded just over a week ago.
While Mickleover were holding on to a disappointing point against St.Neots, our hosts had their first defeat since December 27th , going down 2-0 at home to table toppers Carlton Town.
It was only Anstey’s sixth defeat of the season, which counted among those is Mickleover’s 1-0 home win back in October.
Tony Blanchard is the Nomads manager, having been with the club a number of years.
Mansfield Town loanee and Dominican Republic International Anthony Nunez is the first-choice keeper. He was at Basford and Notts County before joining the Stags and has been out on loan at Shepshed Dynamo too.
Centre back Lewis Gibbens started out at Mansfield too. He moved onto Boston Utd after an initial loan, but came to Anstey from Worksop Town after one season, in July 2022.
Kyle Tomlin is another centre back and another former Mansfield Junior, after joining them from Burton Albion. He joined Coalville Town following his release and played for Carlton Town and Eastwood before joining Anstey in February 2024.
Left back Oscar Tonge was signed from Coleshill in August 2024, where he had spent the previous season after being released by Peterborough Utd.
Tristan Thomas is a left back too. A pre-season arrival following his release by Leicester City.
Darren Wauchope is another left back on loan from Mansfield. He has also been loaned to Ilkeston, Cliftonville in Northern Ireland and Rushall Olympic.
Ben Humphrey’s is a defender signed in pre-season from Hinckley Leicester Road.
Centre back Jordan Annable came from AFC Mansfield in August 2021, after spending seven seasons with the Nottinghamshire club. He is the club captain.
Henry Bestwick is a midfielder and a home-grown talent, having joined Anstey as a 16 year old. He had a few seasons away at Long Eaton Utd before returning to our hosts.
Former Leicester City junior Rubyn Gill is a defensive midfielder who went to the US after a spell at Solihull Moors. Starting with UCAS Bears, he played for Belmont Bruins and Brown Ballers before returning to the UK.
Central midfielder Tobias Liversidge arrived in October from Stamford. He started out at Lincoln City and has also played for Spalding Utd and Lincoln Utd.
Ronnie Kokkinos is a defensive midfielder, currently on loan from Mansfield Town.
Attacking midfielder Josh Burniston came from Stamford in pre-season. He had been on a dual registration with Lincoln Utd, but started off at Nottingham Forest. He’s had spells at Cambridge Utd and Gresley Rovers too.
Tendai Chitiza is a striker that started off at Leicester Nirvana. He then had a short spell with Gresley Rovers before going to Serbia with CSK Celarevo and TSC Backa Topola. On his return to the UK he joined Stamford, but after three years he moved on to Coalville. Returning to Stamford again in August 2023 he was there until joining Anstey at the start of this season.
Striker Liam Murphy was another pre-season signing, having played at Bedworth and Boldmere St.Michael’s last season.
Courey Grantham is a striker too, signed from Quorn in pre-season. He spent four years with Basford and as played for Heanor Town and Hednesford too.
Also in our hosts squad are veteran strikers David Nugent and Martyn Waghorn, both ex Derby County players, and midfielder Jack Colback, ex Nottingham Forest, QPR and many more. All three have vast experience, but are not regulars in the side.
Kick off at the Marks Electrical Arena is 7.45.