Mickleover FC Academy (Blacks)

Academy Juniors End With A Winning Flourish

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover Academy first years finished their ESPFA season on a high, with a 2-1 over Carlton at Borrowash.

It was a lively start from both teams, with Mickleover’s Reece Perry going close after five minutes with a free kick, after Berhard Koecher’s run and  cross.

One minute later it was Devon Smith’s effort saved by the Carlton keeper.

But 14 minutes in, and after a Carlton attack broke down, they had pushed well forward leaving the defence wide open. The Mickleover clearance put Smith in the clear, who jinked passed the keeper and opened the scoring 1-0, with an excellent solo effort.

Carlton had a good chance to equalise two minutes later, but their striker wanted too much time and failed to get his shot in.

They came close again in the 19th minute, when Mickleover’s Fin Bowen charged from his goal, but was left stranded. Carlton went close, but not close enough.

Lewis Hughes and Ethan Mann were looking fairly steady in the centre of the Mickleover defence, and stopped Carlton again in the 22nd minute, when the strikers failed to collect from a good chance.

Both Koecher and Tom Griffiths had been used on the overlap, but Mann went on the attack too briefly, firing a shot over the bar.

Carlton continued to push for the equaliser and Jack Cockram had a good shot from outside the box, well taken by Bowen.

It could have been a second for Mickleover in the 31st minute, when the Carlton keeper came out to a Griffiths free kick, failed to collect and let the ball run loose.

Smith then went on another run just before half time, he was through, but fired just wide.

It was only seven minutes into the second half when Carlton got their goal. A through ball split Hughes and Mann and Cockram was on hand to slip it passed the advancing Bowen, 1-1.

Smith had a shot straight at the keeper a minute later, before Carlton responded with another effort just wide.

But in the 54th minute Perry was through on goal, his shot was saved, but the enthusiastic Koecher smashed the rebound into the Carlton net, 2-1.

Another good run from Smith put Josh Woolley through, shooting just wide, but Carlton were beginning to try random shots from further out, keeping Bowen on his toes.

Smith’s 79th minute attempt was blocked again, and after a good build up Koecher put Woolley clear before he was intercepted.

Smith had another late chance, which went close, before Carlton had two free kicks in the closing minutes, but failed to capitalise on either.

So it remained 2-1 and the Mickleover Black squad brought the curtain down on their season.

_______________________

Mickleover Reds Do The Double Over Academy Team Mates

by Peter Scherer

For the second time in two weeks Mickleover FC two’s Academy teams played each other. Unlike last week, the younger Black squad had the measure of the Reds for much of the game, and only lost out to two second half goals, rather than the 9-0 defeat in their first meeting.

From the kick off it was fairly end to end play for the first 10 minutes, before Fin Bowen had to charge from his goal to intercept a Brodie Carter run.

The Reds continued to build on their attacks, but the Black defence of  Rossy  Mahynduz, Chipigo Mahanga, Ethan Mann and Lennon Higgins held firm, as well as looking for promising breakaways too.

It continued to be fairly even, with most of the play in midfield, before Bowen had to race off his line to cut off another Carter attack.

Reece Perry then found space as the Blacks pushed forward, he had a shot just over Tom Smith’s bar after 28 minutes. It was then Bowen’s turn to be under attack, as Kyran Ward shot just wide of the right hand post.

The strength of the Black defence continued to be tested and in some cases Bowen was left with little cover as they tried to push forward.  He ran out to clear again after 34 minutes, before Ward put a good ball into the box, which was initially cleared, before Josh Satchwell fired it back in again only to be blocked.

Ted Stevenson then went on a run to earn a corner, as the half team whistle approached,

The Blacks earned  a free kick, which was wasted when Mann lofted it straight into Smith’s waiting hands, then it was Reds turn after Hamanga fouled Sam Pipes on the edge of the box.

Ward and Pipes both had good attempts as the Reds tried to break the deadlock before half time and with a minute left Pipes placed the ball almost at Carter’s feet in front of goal, but the striker just missed connecting. Centre back Will Robinson then tried his luck, with a shot well wide of the mark.

So they went in 0-0 compared with the 6-0 only a week before. 

The Reds made a number of changes for the second half, bringing on Bobby Battisson, Jacob Edge-Lucas, Fin Barker and George Atwal, as well as moving Satchwell from left wing back to striker.

Edge-Lucas had taken the right wing back position with Ben Lewin on the left, both looking to push forward, leaving Cameron Anthony and Robinson to look after the defence.

In the first minute of the restart Battisson had a shot tipped over and five minutes later Atwal went close too.

It was a much stronger looking Reds team with Louis Pennington beginning to look more effective in midfield than in the first half.

Pipes continued to work hard and put a lovely ball in close for Satchwell after 12 minutes, who quickly pivoted on one foot to crack a shot just wide. Two minutes later it was Satchwell returning the favour for Barker, with Bowen saving his attempt at point blank range.

Atwal then had a half chance and just after the hour Barker was almost through again, but somehow the first years continued to hold out.

Edge-Lucas had an effort lofted into Bowen’s hands after 21 minutes, then Hamanga showed commendable skills as he stopped Barker in his tracks.

It was 69 minutes when the breakthrough finally came. Battisson’s cross found Satchwell on the edge of the box, who then layed it into Atwal’s path and it was 1-0.

The Blacks came charging back however, and Devon Smith ran at the Red defence before being blocked and a minute later he was on another run with Robinson intercepting.

Battisson went close as the Reds looked to make it safe and 73 minutes in Lewin’s cross from the left was collected by Barker, whose first time shot was just wide.

Stevenson had come back on had a good try which Bowen put out for a corner, before Satchwell almost took advantage of an 80th minute defensive mix up, before Bowen came to the rescue.

Satchwell was relishing his move back into the strike force, heading just over from a Barker cross, before Barker then found Edge-Lucas, who found too many legs to get a clear shot. 

With two minutes left Satchwell got his goal for 2-0, Battisson’s first attempt was blocked, but it was Satchwell that managed to pick it up in a busy goal mouth and seal the victory.

Both Battisson and Barker went close again before the final whistle, but despite finally going down to the two second half goals, the first year Black squad performed with great credit and determination.

_______________________

Academy Showdown As Reds Hit Nine!!

by Peter Scherer

There were hat tricks for both Fin Barker and Brodie Carter as both Mickleover FC Academy sides faced each other at Borrowash.

Only three minutes into the game Carter was on the receiving of an early defensive error, to make it 1-0.

They had only just kicked off and it was close again, as Bobby Battisson picked his spot.

The pressure on the first years defence was relentless, and after eight minutes it was 2-0 when Barker was on the end of a positive build up.

But the first years kept plugging away themselves  and after 12 minutes Devon Smith had a shot just over Tom Smith’s bar.

There was soon another goal though from the Seniors, when Barker outstripped Lewis Hughes and Ethan Mann in a sprint and made it 3-0.

Both Bernard Koecher and Lennon Higgins tried to push forward for the first years, and after 16 minutes Emilio D’Abreu had a good effort just over.

With Louis Pennington controlling midfield, he was able to pick out Jacob Edge-Lucas and George Atwal, as well as strikers Carter and Barker.

Barker had a shot straight at goalkeeper Bowen on the hour, before forcing him to intercept on the edge of his box only four minutes later.

D’Abreu and Smith worked well together when the ball got through to them, but Reece Perry, Dylan Sanghera and Joe Nzeyimana were all finding it tough.

After 40 minutes D’Abreu put Smith through, but Will Robinson easily intercepted.

The ball was soon back in Bowen’s goal mouth, and when the Seniors won a corner, Josh Satchwell, playing left wing back, rose high above the defence to head home for 4-0. To which coach Mills was heard to say, “we’ve only practiced that a 100 times.”

Barker managed to seal his hattrick before half time  to make it 5-0.But the Juniors could have had one too, with Smith on a telling run, only to find the whole of the Senior defence laying in wait.

Both sides were starting to use their subs in the second half, but the Seniors were piling the pressure on again from the word go. 

Nzeyimana had a half chance, but Smith shot out of his goal to end any hopes, but it was Bowen’s goal under more and more pressure.

Barker had a bustling run through on goal and earned a corner, but a mid-defence mix-up left Carter free for his second and it was 6-0 with 56 minutes gone.

D’Abreu and Smith both had cracks at goal when even a half chance occurred. But just after the hour the ball bobbed around various legs, before finding its way into Bowen’s net, 7-0. Edge-Lucas claimed it, “well I touched it at some point, so I will claim it,” he reckoned.

Apart from Cameron Anthony, most of the Seniors defence went on the attack, with Ben Lewin and Satchwell on the overlaps.

Carter had another chance after one of Lewin’s runs, before he hit his third and made it 8-0.

In the 75th minute came the 9th and final goal. Perry was chasing Sam Pipes towards the touchline and clipped the back of his heel. Pipes then made no mistake from the penalty spot to make it 9-0.

Kai Moore and Kyran Ward had come on and linked up with Satchwell, whose shot went over the bar, while with six minutes to Lewin had a try and forced Bowen into another diving save.

The strength and experience of the Senior players was the key factor, but the Juniors kept trying to the final whistle.

They play each other at Borrowash next Monday too, but before then the Seniors visit Rushall Olympic on Thursday.

_______________________

Mickleover First Years Do The Double Over Belper

by Peter Scherer

The Mickleover First Year Academy took their second win in four days, when they visited Belper Town yesterday.

Having beaten Belper in the first game of the season, hopes were high for a repeat.

The home side previously failed  to pick up a point in their previous six games, so it was no real surprise that Mickleover’s fire power overcame the Nailers Academy, returning home as 5-1 victors.

They are now level on points with the Second Year Red squad, having played three games more.

Both of Mickleover’s sides are due to play each other at Borrowash next Monday, the first of two meetings for the sides during April.

_______________________

Victory For Mickleover Academy First Years

by Peter Scherer

Having their match switched from home to away, Mickleover Academy first years came away from title challenging Rushall Olympic as 3-2 winners.

The opening goal came after six minutes, when Devon Smith put the ball in from the left for Emilio De Abreu to slot it home 1-0.

Only a minute later there was another chance from a free kick, but although Smith connected there was no power in his effort.

Mickleover began threaten more and more, with De Abreu having another shot saved after 11 minutes and five minutes later he was on the end of a break but his shot was saved.

Shots were reigning in thick and fast and after 18 minutes if was 2-0. A lovely through ball from central midfield split the Rushall defence and Smith was there to put t home.

After Smith had another effort land on top for the net, Rushall had their first real attempt on goal after 24 minutes, only to shoot straight at Fin Bowen in the Mickleover goal.

Just before the half hour De Abreu earned a corner after going close again, but from the break Bowen was called into action again, diving at a Rushall strikers feet.

Rushall started to open up in the last third of the first half, but after De Abreu went close once more, Lennon Higgins tried his luck, but shot straight at the keeper.

With one minute left on the clock, Rushall pulled one back after Bowen had come out to narrow the angle, so they went in it half time with a 2-1 scoreline.

They had barely kicked off the second half and it was 2-2, after Haider Amin unfortunately had the last touch, before the ball found itself in Bowen’s net.

Mickleover’s first half domination had gone, and it was Rushall piling the pressure on.

After 53 minutes Bowen was forced into another save, before Smith was on the attack again, with de Abreu just failing to connect.

Smith continued to threaten and had a couple of attempts on goal.

But after 56 minutes Rushall had a chance straight in front of goal, but failed to capitalise.

Rushall’s strong start to the second half then began to fade and with Joe Nzeyimana beginning to threaten more, he was able to provide telling through balls on a couple of occasions.

After 71 minutes Rushall hit the post with Bowen beaten, before Smith had a crack from outside the box.

Both Higgins and Tom Griffiths began to overlap more as the scent of a possible victory returned.

De Abreu had a shot tipped over in the 84th minute, before Bowen had another attempt to save.

But two minutes later De Abreu pulled out a shot in scrambled goal mouth and it was 3-2.

Rushall had one last chance with a direct free kick just outside the box in the final minute, but with the shot well off target, it was Mickleover returning home with three points.

They are back in action again on Thursday away to Belper Town.

_______________________

Academy First Years Go Down To League Leaders

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover FC Academy first year students travelled to league leaders Stafford Rangers for their final ESPFA Midlands Division game of the year.

Stafford had only dropped one point so far and had previously been 3-1 winners at the Don Amott Arena.

Once again it was Stafford with the upperhand throughout, taking a 2-0 victory.
_______________________

First Years Go Down 1-0

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover FC Academy first years suffered their third successive defeat, after going down 1-0 at Carlton in the ESPFA Midlands Division.

The Black squad have struggled since their win against Belper in the first game of the season, but had held Carlton to 0-0 at half time.

The starting line-up was 1-Fin Bowen 2-Bernhard Koecher 3-Lewis Hughes 4-Ethan Mann 5-Amin 6-Sam Allsopp 7-Tom Griffiths 8-Jay Wilkinson 9-Devon Smith 10-Reece Perry 11-Emilio De Abreu. Subs: Dylan Sanghera, Lennon Higgins, Josh Woolley, Joe Nzeyimana, Dylan James, Chipigo Hamanga. 

In the second half Kyle Fawsitt opened the scoring for Carlton and with the Mickleover side unable to respond, the Nottinghamshire side sealed their first points of the season.
_______________________

Second Successive Defeat For Mickleover Youngsters

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover first year Academy suffered a 2-0 defeat on their visit to Rushall Olympic.

The Black group had won their opening game at home over Belper Town, before losing to Stafford Rangers at home before the Lockdown.

Rushall had also had one win against Carlton, having succumbed to Stafford too in their first game.

But Mickleover failed to penetrate the home defence on this occasion and will be hoping for better fortunes when they are way again next Thursday at Carlton Town.
_______________________

Mickleover FC Student Of The Half Term – Emilio De Abreu

Courtesy of ESPFA

Congratulations to Emilio De Abreu of Mickleover who was named as their student of the half-term. His tutor, Ben Cocker said:

Emilio has made an excellent transition into further education. Since the start of this academic year, he has shown excellent understanding of the key topics we have studied. He is a very intuitive individual and has shown excellent capabilities within his written work and assignment submissions so far in Units C1, B and 5. Emilio is a very polite student and has been a role model to others in his approach to both his education and physical development within training sessions. Keep it up Emilio!

 

 

_______________________

ACADEMY B TEAM GO DOWN 3-1
by Peter Scherer

Following their season opening victory at home to Belper Town last week. Mickleover First Year Academy hosted Stafford Rangers at the Don Amott Arena.

It was pretty much the same starting line-up as last week, with 1-Fin Bowen 2-Lennon Hughes 3-Tom Griffiths 4-Chipigo Hamanga 5-Lewis Hughes 6-Reece Perry 7-Berhard Koecher 8 -Ethan Mann 9-Devon Smith 10-Emilio De Abreu 11-Joe Nzeymana, Subs: Dylan Sanghera, Jay Wilkinson, Dylan James, Josh Woolley, Liam Roberts, Sam Allsopp.

It was a fairly frenetic but even start to the game, with Koecher putting a nice through ball for Mann and Smith to chase after five minutes, before Perry but a long pass ahead for Smith to chase down too, unfortunately just too long. 

Stafford soon started to take charge and after eight minutes Bowen had to sprint from his goal to intercept a loose ball. 

The visitors had had a close range shot blocked by Hughes, but after 10 minutes the Mickleover defence seemed to freeze and the Stafford number seven, cast Hamanga and Hughes aside, smashing the ball passed Bowen to take a 0-1 lead.

Two minutes later the visitors were blocked again before a shot was unleashed, only for Bowen to make another diving save shortly afterwards.

Mickleover were looking to build their confidence with short but accurate passing, and after 17 minutes Smith put a weak shot from a De Abreu pass.

Stafford were clearly looking to add to their tally, but an 18th minute attempt cleared the perimeter fence.

Mann had pushed forward for Sports, but was intercepted before a pass was made. Then Hamanga headed a dangerous Stafford cross way at the other end.

More shots reigned in on the Mickleover goal, fortunately most were off target, but it was a close call after Perry lost possession giving Stafford a free kick, with the follow up just wide of the post.

There were repeated corners too for Stafford, but Sports were just holding out. De Abreu then found Smith in space, for probably the best chance of the match so far, but the Stafford keeper came out quickly to block.

39 minutes it was 0-2 when Bowen was beaten on his right hand post, quickly followed by another shot into the side netting.

42 minutes and Bowen had to race off his line again to stop the Stafford number nine from making it three, only for the same player to smash another effort off the underside of the bar and away to safety as the half time whistle beckoned.

Sports started the second half with a promising move that saw De Abreu put a shot on target. But Bowen was soon seeing more of the ball than the Stafford defence, cutting off a promising attack after 57 minutes. He fumbled another first shot, but safely gathered a rebound as Stafford continued to threaten.

There was a chance for Sports with a 62nd minute free kick on the edge of the box, but Griffiths put the shot over the bar for a goal kick.

The tenacity of Stafford’s number nine almost got him through again, but his final effort ended in the side netting again.

It was somewhat against the run of play that Mickleover pulled one back after 65 minutes. As Smith received the ball the Stafford defence seemed to part and he was left with a clear shot on goal, which he accepted gladly for 1-2.

Hughes cut out another Stafford run before Nzeymana found Koecher, who put his shot over the bar.

Both sides continued to try random shots with few on target, but with the final whistle poised, Stafford’s number nine got the better of a duel with Hughes and slid it passed Bowen to consolidate their victory.

 

_______________________

 ACADEMY KICK OFF WITH A WIN
by Peter Scherer

Mickleover FC’s first year Academy squad opened their ESPFA Midlands Division season with a 2-1 win over Belper Town, thanks to two goals from Reece Perry.

Although Belper went straight into the attack from the kick off, the opening minutes were fairly even.

Lennon Higgins had a random shot which was well over the Belper bar, before the wing back sent a sixth minute through ball which Devon Smith just failed to connect with.

Belper kept coming back in surges and Berhard Koecher cleared the first real effort from the visitors, playing the ball nicely out of his own area.

Smith led another attack for Sports after 12 minutes, but weak ball into the area came to nothing. It was only two minutes later that Perry found the top right hand corner from outside the box, after a gradual multi-player build up to make it 1-0.

Belper had a fairly good chance to equalise four minutes later, with the Mickleover defence failing to intercept on a couple of occasions, but the Belper number eight’s shot was high and wide.

Mickleover keeper Fin Bowen had little of the ball as most of Belper’s attempts were very wide of the mark, whereas Mickleover went more for the gradual build up.

After 23 minutes Emilio De Abreu was in the clear, but the Belper keeper managed to block his shot and send it out for a corner.

On the half hour a Sports free kick was sent back into the box by Lennon, the ball bobbed around without either side collecting it, until Belper made another break which failed to reach its destination.

Smith though he had made it 2-0 after 32 minutes, but was flagged offside, but De Abreu the pout a good shot in from outside the area, just wide.

Perry and Smith the combined to put an effort just wide following a corner, before Belper’s number 11 managed to rebound his own first effort, only to shoot well wide again.

Smith was on the attack again with seven minutes left in the first half, his back header fell to Perry, who put in a weak shot which trickled to the Belper keeper.

There was one more slight chance for the visitors too, before half time, easily dealt with by Bowen.

There had been continuous substitutions from both sides, but it was Mickleover again, getting the first shot on goal in the second half, but Smith’s attempt was blocked.

But Belper’s number 11 was in space again, but failed to actually get a shot in, before Tom Griffiths put a god ball in the Belper box, just short of connecting with Lennon and Smith.

The visitors had a fierce shot blocked after 55 minutes, before Ethan Mann got clear, but his attempt was well wide of the target.

Smith broke through the Belper defence three minutes later, but fell at the final hurdle before getting his shot in and then Sam Allsopp had a shot saved.

But Perry made it 2-0 on the 20 minute mark, after Smith was chasing the ball and the Belper keeper went down injured.

Another fractional offside robbed Smith of another goal, but into the last 10 minutes Belper began to show more urgency and put the Mickleover defence under pressure.

Bowen had to palm away a close range shot, before Dylan Sanghera found Smith in the box for Sports, but his shot was saved. But Belper pulled one back when their number five beat Bowen on his near post with a header.

There were few more threats to the Sports defence before the final whistle went, but overall a good solid performance and a well earned three points.

The first years Black team play the return game at Belper next Thursday, and at the Don Amott Arena it’s the second years Reds v Stafford Rangers.