by Peter Scherer
After two consecutive away defeats, Mickleover will be looking to get back to winning ways with the visit to Shepshed Dynamo on Saturday.
Both Dwayne Wiley and Sam Sanders both had to come off during Tuesday’s defeat at Wellingborough, so there could changes in Sports back four.
Mickleover are currently 14th in the table, with our hosts in 10th following their 2-2 draw at Coventry Utd on Wednesday night. There is just one point between us though.
Gary Drake has been in charge at Shepshed since October 2024, having previously been assistant and has also managed Rugby Town and coached in the US, Canada and the UK.
Jake Williams is first choice keeper at the moment, he was signed from Quorn in pre-season. Australian born, he’s played for Harborough Town and Leicester Nirvana too. But with a red card on Wednesday night he could be missing too.
Previously first choice between the sticks Dan Wallis came from Stamford in July 2024. He’s a former Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest junior, who went to Norway with FK Valdres following his release. He came to Matlock Town on his UK return, and has played for Gainsborough, Macclesfield and Corby Town too. He’s currently out of action with a broken ankle.
Right or centre back Ben Bayliss arrived in July 2025 from Anstey Nomads, where he had spent the last five years. He previously played in the Leicester City and Mansfield Town Academies.
Chad Timson came from Loughborough Dynamo in June 2024.. A defender, he has also played for Leicester Nirvana, Hinckley AFC, Kettering Town and Corby Town.
Left back Jack Samples was signed in September last year on a dual registration with Quorn, but made it permanent in pre-season. He started out at playing junior football with Heather St.John’s, Ravenstone and, Aylestone Park, before joining Oadby Town. He’s played for Coalville Town, Ashby Ivanhoe and Anstey Nomads too.
Left back Kelly Fombad is a former Lincoln City junior, signed from Harrowby Utd in pre-season. He’s also played for Lincoln Utd and Melton Town.
Dec Peart is a centre back who started his career with Oxford City. He played for Kidlington and North Leigh before moving to Racing Club Warwick in July 2024. He joined our hosts in November 2024.
Home grown teenaged talent Harry Harrison is another defender who has come through the ranks at Shepshed to join the first team squad.
Ethan Baynham is another pre-season signing from Coventry Copeswood. He started out at Mansfield Town, but has also played for Anstey Nomads, Bedworth, Coventry Utd, Lutterworth Town and Hinckley AFC.
Central midfielder Kyle Dixon is in his fourth season at Shepshed, since arriving from Carlton Town. He started at Notts County and was loaned to Boston Utd, and Telford before going back to Boston following his release. He’s played for Basford, North Ferriby, Coalville, Newark Flowserve, Gainsborough and Belper Town too.
Josh Burniston is a midfielder too, who came from Anstey Nomads last May. He started out with Nottingham Forest and Cambridge Utd, before moving on to Hinckley AFC and Lincoln Utd.
Ben Britton, Josh Halliday and Reece Massey are also midfielders. Britton was signed in pre-season after a spell in the US with Mississippi Brilla and St.Charles, while Halliday came from FCV Grace Dieu and Massey came from Hinckley AFC.
Lucas Brown and Taylor Wyse are both on loan from Tamworth. Brown is a right sided midfielder, and Wyse is a striker.
Striker Jack Butterfill joined our hosts in pre-season from West Coast Rangers in New Zealand. He was previously at Lincoln Utd having played for Barnsley and Leicester City at under 18 and 21 levels.
Jiah Medrano is a winger and a former Burton Albion youngster. He returned to our hosts in July from Alvechurch, having previously spent two years with the club up to 2023. He played for Yeovil under 18’s Kirby Muxloe, Leamington, St.Ives and Barwell too.
John McHugh is a winger too, who came from Uttoxeter Town in pre-season. A former Blackpool and Sheffield Wednesday youngster, he’s played for Rushden & Diamonds, Boldmere, Belper Utd and Hucknall Town.
Striker Josh Allen came from Barrow Town in July 2025. He started this season at Leicester Nirvana but has recently returned to our hosts.
Reuben Wyatt came from Stratford Town on a dual registration at the end of August, after starting the season with Rugby Borough. He’s a former Northampton Town youngster and had a loan spell at St Albans, before joining Tamworth on his release, who also loaned him to Barwell and St.Ives.
Kick off at the Dovecote Stadium is 3pm