by Peter Scherer
On Tuesday evening, weather permitting, Mickleover will be striving to reach their second Derbyshire Senior Cup final, when they travel to Glossop North End.
Back in April 2019 Sports went down 1-2 against Alfreton Town at Pride Park, but success on Tuesday would leave them facing the winner of the other semi between Ilkeston Town and Belper Town.
Our hosts were a football league side between 1898 and 1915 and now play their football in the North West Counties League. They reached the semi-final with a penalty shootout victory over New Mills.
Lee Wilshaw has been the manager since November and they currently lie mid table with four wins from their last 10 games. They were without a game last Saturday and drew 2-2 at home to Burscough last Tuesday.
Joey Oldham is their first-choice goalkeeper, signed from Chadderton in December. He’s also played for New Mills.
Harry Allen is the second-choice keeper, signed in pre-season. He previously had a loan spell with the club during his time at Burnley, but started out at Manchester Utd. He’s played for Flint Town, Farsley Celtic, Colne and Prestwich Heys too.
Right back Joel Igwenwanne is dual registered with Avro. A former Sheffield Utd junior, he joined Hyde Utd on his release. He’s played for Abbey Hulton and Mossley too.
Defender Dylan McMahon came from Burscough in July 2024, having previously played for Ramsbottom.
Centre back Jordan Schofield was signed from Chadderton too, where he had spent most of his career, but he was a pre-season arrival.
Captain Olly Parker is in his third season at Glossop. Another centre back and former Chadderton player, he’s also played for Ashton Utd and New Mills.
Central midfielder Abdul Djalo started out at Manchester Utd, before moving to Crewe Alexandra. He joined FC Barnton following his release, before moving on to Warrington Rylands and Skelmersdale. He then spent two years at Macclesfield, including loans at City of Liverpool and Skelmersdale and came to our hosts in November 2023, after four months at St.Helens.
Fellow Midfielder Jack Hopkins arrived at Surrey Street from Clitheroe in July ’22, having previously been at Stockport County.
Aeron Bardsley plays in defence or midfield and came to our hosts in March 2024 from Curzon Ashton.
Full back Leo Cooper has come through the Hillmen’s own youth scheme.
Spanish born Gabby Money-Munoz started his career playing for CD Canillas in Madrid, before coming to the UK with Wythenshawe Town. Before joining our hosts the midfielder also played for Winsford Town, Northwich and Prestwich Heys.
James Purfield came from Chadderton in pre-season, he’s a midfielder.
Midfielder Alex Bowker was signed from Trafford a few months ago, after starting out at Stockport County.
Conal Gallagher is another midfielder who came from Pilkington in February 2024. He played for Ramsbottom and Skelmersdale too, was a junior at both Bolton and Blackburn and had spell in the US too with the University of Illinois. He is also a former England under 19 Futsal international.
Striker Jacques Etia is on loan from Stalybridge Celtic. A former Rotherham junior, he played for Sheffield FC and Ollerton after his release, but was loaned to Glossop in May 2023 after joining Ashton Utd.
Conor Berry returned to the club last month, after a brief appearance before Christmas. He’s another signing from Chadderton, having also been a prolific goal scorer at Moston Brook, Avro and Prestwich Heys.
Fellow striker Ethan Sutcliffe came from Chadderton too in pre-season and previously played for Avro.
Adem Oureghi is another young striker, while fellow striker Martijn “Junior” Smith arrived last month from Chowan University Hawks in the US, he’s an ex Doncaster Rovers junior.
Kick off is 7.45 and remember if you are travelling to the game via Ashbourne, it’s also Shrove Tuesday.
*** MONDAY’S WEATHER UPDATE FROM GLOSSOP, “light overnight snow soon cleared and not too bad overall.”