by Peter Scherer
This weekend Mickleover face one of the form teams of the NPL Midlands Division.
Lichfield City are currently sixth in the table having been unbeaten in their last four games, following a home defeat to Anstey Nomads on the first day of the season.
They were 2-1 winners at home to Sutton Coldfield last Monday, despite having played 85 minutes with an outfield player in goal, after keeper Brendon Bunn went off injured.
After two good wins for Mickleover it was back to the classroom last Monday, going down 0-1 to Loughborough Students in a very poor game.
Midfielder Harry Wood should be fit again for this weekend after a foot injury, but Jake Benett’s calf strain still keeps him out.
Ivor Green has been in charge at Lichfield since March 2020, with his assistant Wayne Chapman there for the duration too. Last season they took the team to the Midland League Premiership title and have retained most of their title winning team.
Goalkeeper Brendon Bunn came in at the end of last season from Studley. He has also played for Highgate Utd, Gresley Rovers, Coventry Utd, Halesowen and Worcester City.
After a return trip to Studley, he joined Stratford on a dual registration with Darlaston last season too. He may well be absent on Saturday though, after picking up a groin strain after five minutes in their last match.
Right back James Wilcock started out at Tamworth, but has spent much of his career with Highgate Utd. He has played for Alvechurch and Coton Green too, and came to our visitors in July last year after his second spell at Highgate.
Jordan Clement is a central midfielder who came out of Wolves Academy. He joined Romulus on his release, before moving on to Coleshill. Tamworth was his next stop, but after a loan at Stratford he moved to Alvechurch, before spending the next three years alternating between Redditch and Tamworth. He came to Lichfield in August 2023 from Redditch.
Attacking midfielder Jamie Spiers was signed from Atherstone at the beginning of last season. He started off at Shrewsbury, before joining Alvechurch on his release. He’s played for Racing Club Warwick, Boldmere, Bedworth and Hednesford too.
Defender Josh Mansell returned to Lichfield for a second spell at the start of last season from Walsall Wood. He’s also played for Alvechurch and Chasetown.
Joe Haines is one of the longest serving members of the squad, having returned to the club in June 2021, making his 250th appearance last season. A left back, he’s had spells with Walsall Wood and Gresley Rovers.
Centre back Leighton McMeneny is another long server, having just started his fifth season with the club, after signing in June 2021.
Luke Childs and Dan Lomas are both long servers too. Childs made his 200th appearance last season and played in gOal for 85 minutes last Monday, rather than his usual striker role. Lomas is club captain and a holding midfielder, he made his 150th start for the club last season.
Midfielder John Mills was signed in January this year, while striker Jack Edwards is another long server, having arrived in July 2021. He is he club top scorer too.
Jude Taylor is one of the younger members of the squad, a talented striker who has come through the clubs own youth scheme.
Sonny Sheasby is another young striker, signed from Ellistown last season.
Tom Brown Harry Eden, Kev Hemajou and Jack Bostock have also made starts this season.
Kick off usual is 3pm.