by Peter Scherer
Mickleover’s fight to stay in touch with the NPL Midlands Division play-offs positions takes them to table toppers Carlton Town on Saturday.
Back in November the equivalent match at the Don Amott Arena ended in a 2-3 defeat for Sports.
Mark Harvey and Andy Clerke have been joint managers since the start of this season, having finished seventh in the NPL East last season.
Having gone a very long unbeaten run, our hosts have now lost two of their last three games, going down 1-2 to strugglers Bedworth Utd at home last Saturday. Due to postponements and re-arranged games, they have played seven of their last 10 games at home and have made only two team changes in the last five.
Goalkeeper Felix Annan joined our hosts in August 2023, after a season in the US with Maryland Bobcats. Ghanaian born, he started his career in his homeland, with Asanate Kotoko SC and spent time at the West African Football Academy.
Dean Freeman is a central defender, who joined Carlton at the start of the 22/23 season after a spell at Newark. He also made over 100 appearances for Coalville and has played for Sherwood Colliery, Belper Town, Loughborough Dynamo and Rainworth MW after starting his youth career at Barnsley.
Left back Lewis Durow is in his fourth season at Carlton. He’s played for Ilkeston Town, Holbrook Sports and Mickleover RBL too. he will probably be absent this weekend, following a red card last Saturday.
Right back Liam Bateman is another defender who started his career at Aston Villa, before three years at Kettering following his release. He’s also played for Basford, St. Ives, Tamworth and Worksop and joined Carlton in 2023.
Defender Shea Thompson-Harris joined our hosts following his release from Notts County in 2023.
Alex Howes is a central midfielder and another former Notts County junior. After a loan spell at Coalville and Tamworth, he joined Basford on his release. He initially came to Carlton on loan, before his move became permanent in February 2022.
Centre back Dan Brown is one of the longest serving players, having made his 20th appearance last season.
Attacking midfielder Jason Law arrived last October from Stamford. A graduate of Carlton’s own Academy after spells with Derby and Burton, Law went to Mansfield Town as a 16 year old. After loans at Sutton Coldfield, Gresley Rovers, Hednesford, Leek Town and Kettering, he moved to Scunthorpe last March after 10 years with the Stags. He was also loaned to Spalding Utd, before starting this season at Stamford.
Niall Davie can play midfield or striker. A home-grown player who came through the clubs own academy.
Niall Hylton is another midfielder, who joined our hosts from local club Gedling MW. He has played for Basford too.
Khyle Sargent is a midfielder who returned to the club in 21/22.
Ewan Robson is another midfielder signed in pre-season from Sherwood Colliery.
Midfielder or striker Lamin Manneh came from Dunkirk in 2022.,
Ollie Clark left Carlton in January 2021 to join Basford, but came back in October 2024 initially on loan from Stamford. He is also a midfielder.
Striker Ash Chambers was a pre-season signing from Barwell. He played over 140 games in League Two, scoring 17 goals, having started out at Leicester City. After loans at Wycombe and Grimsby Town, he joined York City, moving on to Cambridge Utd three years later. He’s also played for Dagenham & Redbridge, Nuneaton, Kidderminster, Brackley, Buxton, Coalville and Basford.
Striker Nat Watson is a long serving player. He returned to the club in 21/22 from Basford and has also played for Coalville,
Midfielder Huw Dawson arrived from Rushden & Diamonds last November. He started out at St.Albans City, before joining Kettering. He’s also played for Shepshed Dynamo and Bedford Town.
Logan Dimmock-Fox is the most recent signing, a young striker from Eastwood, who has also played for Alfreton Town and Radford.
Kick off at the is 3pm and your support would be more than welcome.