by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)
Despite taking a first half lead, Mickleover succumbed to two second half goals against Alfreton Town, ending their FA Trophy run after strong and determined performance on a stormy day.
Starting line-up: 1-Jack McDowell; 2 George Wilkinson; 3 Sam Sanders; 4-Charle Hickingbottom; 5-Hamza Bencherif; 6-Dwayne Wiley; 7-Kane Richards; 8-Josh Ashman; 9-Harvey Smith; 10-Andy Dales; 11-Josh Carter. Subs: Darryl Powell; Theo Rowe; Manni Norkett; Jude Taylor; Will Atkinson.
There was no sign of the rain and wind relenting as the game kicked off, but Mickleover managed to get the first shot in when Hickingbottom shot over the bar after five minutes.
Overall it was fairly even opening 10 minutes though in the tricky conditions, but Siyabonga Ligendza then clattered Sanders into the perimeter fence and deservedly received a yellow card.
Alfreton then began to push forward and after 13 minutes Ligendza combined with Abudu on the left, Youmbi shot from a narrow angle and McDowell saved to concede a corner.
Mickleover then had a half chance when Roberts had to race off his line to intercept before Smith could connect, before Alfreton retaliated with a Ligendza strike. McDowell made a great save to deny him and it was another corner, which came to nought.
Youmbi was next to test McDowell, cutting through from the middle before shooting wide.
Wilkinson, Bencherif, Wiley and Sanders were being tested at the back for Mickleover, but had plenty of opportunities to prove their worth.
Abudu was then cautioned for Alfreton after hacking down Richards, but Dales’ free kick was straight into the wall, before bouncing around in a goal mouth scramble until, Bencherif sent a shot well over the bar.
Just before the half hour mark Alfreton won a succession of corners, the final one headed clear by Bencherif.
Ashman had looked strong in central midfield for Sports and with Carter and Richards pushing forward on the wings, Richards broke into the box where he was pushed down and the referee pointed straight to the penalty spot.
Richards stepped up to convert the spot kick himself, so with 35 minutes gone it was 1-0 to Mickleover. But Sports were forced to make an early change before the restart after Smith had taken a knock and was replaced by Norkett.
Ashman then went in the book for a foul on Ligdenza, giving a free kick in dangerous place, which Alfreton failed to maximise after another series of corners.
With half time approaching Dales had a shot blocked after another goal mouth scramble, before Bencherif headed wide after another Dales free kick.
So Mickleover went into break 1-0 and had done more than enough to hold their own, as the conditions continued to be an issue.
Alfreton were straight into attack as the second half got underway. Nadin got a cross in after a break down the right, but there was no one in the middle, Williams then had a shot deflected for a corner which McDowell punched away.
The equaliser came on the 50 minute mark, when McDowell managed to save the initial shot, but couldn’t hold onto the ball in the slippery conditions, leaving Odunaiya to score from close range, 1-1.
The defence continued to soak up the pressure and McLachlan tried another shot on the hour but was just wide. Robson then connected with a corner four minutes later, but Sanders had it covered.
Taylor replaced Richards after 64 minutes, before Alfreton earned another series of corner, but Taylor then went on a charge through the middle, before a timely interception from the visitors defence.
Alfreton then sealed the win with a 76th strike from Mansfield loanee Riley McLachlan on his debut. Bencherif had come out to block him on the right, but he curved the ball around and gave McDowell little chance, 1-2.
Rowe was the third Mickleover sub on for Carter, but despite a couple of late chases from Norkett and shots from Rowe and Hickingbottom, it remained 1-2.
Overall it was a strong team performance from Mickleover, but it brought an end to the successful cup runs thar has seen us advance through the FA Cup and FA Trophy.
