by Peter Scherer
Without a win in their last four games, Mickleover will be looking to get some points on the board as they visit Shepshed Dynamo on Saturday.
Sports have Andy Dales on the injured list at the moment with Jake Bennett, but otherwise should have a full squad to choose from.
Back in October we were 1-0 winners over our hosts, after an Archie White winner, but having lost three out of their last four games, Shepshed will be keen to turn the tide too.
Gary Drake has been in charge at Shepshed since October 2024, having previously been assistant and managed Rugby Town at the end of last season. He has also coached in the US, Canada and in the UK with Nottingham Forest, Leicester City and Doncaster Rovers.
Keeper Dan Wallis came from Stamford at the beginning of last season. He’s a former Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest junior and has played for Matlock Town, Gainsborough, Macclesfield and Corby Town too.
Right back Ben Bayliss arrived pre-season from Anstey Nomads, where he had spent the last five years. He previously played in the Leicester City and Mansfield Town Academies.
Dec Peart is a centre back who started his career with Oxford City. He played for Kidlington and North Leigh before starting last season at Racing Club Warwick. He joined our hosts in November 2024.
Jowan Partridge is a centre back too, signed in pre-season from Royal Wootton Bassett Town. He has played for Nottingham Trent University too, where he currently studies.
Chad Timson came from Loughborough Dynamo. A defender, he has also played for Leicester Nirvana, Hinckley AFC, Kettering Town and Corby Town.
Signed last month from Redditch Utd, Ben Richards is another defender. He started the season at Bedworth and has also playing for Spalding and Kidlington.
Left back Jack Samples was signed in September on a dual registration with Quorn. He started out at Oadby Town, but has played for Coalville Town, Ashby Ivanhoe and Anstey Nomads too.
Central midfielder Kyle Dixon is in his third 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.
Jude Collins is a midfielder who started out Shrewsbury Town. He joined Barwell following his releasee in August last year and came to Shepshed, firstly on a dual registration a month later.
Also in midfield Jesse Friend came from FC Romania in October last year, having started out at Cheshunt
Callum Burkey is another midfielder and started his career at Southend Utd. He joined AFC Sudbury following his release and had a spell at Basildon before joining Coalville Town and came to Shepshed in March 2024 dual registered.
Central midfielder Niall Prendeville is the clubs longest servant, as he is in his 10th season at the club. He was previously with Holwell Sports, Barrow Town and Quorn.
Rajdeep Palit is a central midfielder too. After starting out at Huddersfield and Bradford City he joined Hull, after a loan spell at Tadcaster. He then joined Barwell in October 2024, before coming to our hosts in pre-season.
Winger or attacking midfielder Jack Rogers is a former Derby County youngster. He went to Ilkeston Town after his release, before moving to Long Eaton and Barwell. He spent time at Shepshed on loan from Ilkeston, and made his return last January dual registered with Barwell.
Striker Tristan Dunkley is one of numerous players signed from Barwell. He arrived at the end of August 2024, having started his youth career at Birmingham City. Loughborough Dynamo and Worcester City were his next stops, soon followed by Hednesford, Halesowen, Solihull Moors, Rushall, Tamworth, Alvechurch and a first spell at Barwell. After going to Corby, Bedworth and Bromsgrove, he rejoined Barwell briefly, before coming to Shepshed.
Aaron Korpal is another striker and ex Nottingham Forest junior. He joined Sherwood following his release and has played for Anstey Nomads too, before joining our hosts in September 2024.
Finally striker Fin Ryder needs no introduction, having graduated via the Mickleover Academy and Reserve team to the first team squad. He joined our hosts in January, after loans at Basford and Kimberley MW.
Kick off at 3.00 and as always your support would be welcomed at the Dvecote Stadium.