SATURDAY 26TH AUGUST 2023
CENTRAL MIDLANDS ALLIANCE PREMIER DIVISION SOUTH vs MICKLEOVER RESERVES
KO 3PM
HOLBROOK ST MICHAEL’S
MELBOURNE DYNAMO
WEDNESDAY 09TH AUGUST 2023 | 18:30
The lads headed to the first game of the league season in high spirits, after being unbeaten in a 4 game pre season, scoring 24 goals in the process. Missing, due to work or holidays, was Walsh, Smith, Worger and Nkumrah. Supple and Poynton only fit enough for bench.
The game started with Dynamo well on top and missed chances followed - the front 3 of Tovell, Withers and Goodband all guilty. At the other end, the hosts should have had a penalty, when Peverley kicked the Holbrook player whilst attempting the clearance, but the referee waved play on.
The second half was more of the same, Dynamo introduced all 4 subs in Fox, Supple, Poynton and Shadbolt. The home keeper made a couple of good saves and, just as it looked as though we’d have to settle for a point, Goodband cut inside and his deep cross was volleyed in via a deflection on his league debut by Tyler Withers.
A thoroughly deserved 3 points to start the season from the lads.
MICKLEOVER RBL 3
SATURDAY 12TH AUGUST 2023 | 15:00
We headed to Mickleover RBL, full of confidence after our opening day 3 points at Holbrook. Out of the squad was Fox (injured) Tovell (holiday) Poynton (away), Bodill and Peverley (both unavailable), so in came Walsh, Worger, Simpson, J Smith and Nkumrah.
Once again, the lads started well and had a good foothold in the game, but after 20 mins a defensive mix-up saw us go 1 down against the run of play. 10 minutes later, the hosts doubled their lead after a needless corner was given away and the home centrehalf was left free at the back post to nod home. The 2 quick goals from last years runners-up knocked the Dynamos, but they regained the initiative, and right on half-time Goodband’s powerful shot hit Skipper, Allsop, on the chest and went over the line to half the deficit.
The message and belief at half-time was that we could get something out of this game, but 5 minutes into the second half the killer blow came, as RBL opened us up and made it 3-1. Despite numerous balls in the box and saves from the home keeper that’s how the scored stayed as we tasted defeat.
Plenty of positives to take from the game, showing we can more than compete in this league, and comments from the opponents saying we deserved something from the game were nice to hear - but that’s football, and we move on to the next game.
The reserve team at Mickleover FC are at Step 7 of the pyramid and next year will play in the Black Dragon Premier Division South which sits in the Abacus Lighting Central Midlands Alliance League. The CMFL having an influx of clubs from the Midlands Regional Alliance. The league includes the likes of Pinxton, newcomers Melbourne Dynamo, South Normanton and of course the eagerly anticipated clashes with near neighbours Royal British Legion.
The team will be managed again by David Mackenzie (in his 14th year at the club) aided by Leigh Parr again but with the addition of Steve Powell straight from successes with the U16 boys side. In the short time with the team Steve, in conjunction with Leigh, has raised the bar at least a couple of rungs and with his knowledge and enthusiasm the lads are in safe hands.
As is the case now the Reserves will be made up predominately from Academy players where their football education will be nurtured by Pablo Mills and Andrew Dales and overseen by the gaffer, John McGrath. Great opportunities for the lads to learn from seasoned professionals.
The make up of the side will consist of last years first years and a new intake of players.
From last years team several are already knocking on the door of the first team with involvement towards the end of the season gone and in pre season friendlies this year. Zak Sandhu, Fin Ryder and Brandon Ferron will be building on their introduction to mens football from last year. The newbies are an exciting bunch with Toby Smith, Josh Powell, Sam Tomlinson and Mason Tugay all chomping at the bit to get started.
They have some big boots to fill as two years ago 7 of the squad were in and around the first team with Ethan Mann now so established he is vice captain of the first team.
In recent years the reserves were sitting top of the league when Covid hit and runners up in the league in 21/22 losing the Presidents Cup final the year before to a strong Newark Town side. The reserve team have contested the final of the Derbyshire Cup on 4 out of the last seven including the Covid year final v Swanwick Pentridge Road not being played. So lots to play for, both collectively but most importantly individually for players to develop in a positive environment.
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