Match Preview: Mickleover (H) - Pitching In Northern Premier League

After a successful excursion to Prague saw FC secure their place in the next round of the Fenix Trophy, Mark Beesley’s side are back on home soil as they welcome Mickleover to Broadhurst Park.

Team News

• New signings, Charlie Hayes-Green and Noah Halford are both available for selection tomorrow. The defensive pair join on initial month-long loans from Bolton Wanderers. 

FC United manager, Mark Beesley on Fenix Trophy trip to Prague: “Overall it was a roaring success. As far as the game itself it was a good performance, a good win. 

“It was good to be able to give minutes to some players who needed them. Hopefully it can serve as a confidence booster for us ahead of Saturday.”

Watch: Full match stream of Monday night’s 3-0 victory over Prague Raptors in the Fenix Trophy (YT: Fenix Trophy TV)

Our Opponents – Mickleover, the Sports

After a two year stint in the Southern League Premier Division Central, Mickleover made the lateral move back to the Northern Premier League this season. Last campaign saw Sports finish 5th in the league, losing out to AFC Telford United in the SLPD Central play-off semi-finals.

Mickleover currently sit five points above FC in 15th place, and arrive in Moston off the back of a remarkable 2-1 win over previously-unbeaten Macclesfield in midweek. Sports had lost their last seven in all competitions prior to Tuesday night’s victory.

Manager Gareth Holmes took charge in May following the departure of former boss, John McGrath, who made the cross-county move to National League North side Buxton. Holmes has previously been involved with the youth setups at Burton Albion, Birmingham City and Nottingham Forest.

Beesley on Mickleover: “They’re another side who we feel have done really well, and they’ll be well up for it after their result against Macclesfield the other night. To beat one of the only unbeaten teams left in the country is a huge achievement and of course they’ll be delighted with that.

Previous Meetings

Following defeat for FC in the first ever meeting between the clubs in October 2010, The Reds are since unbeaten against the Derbyshire outfit, with four wins and three draws in the clubs’ previous seven meetings.

Mickleover’s last visit to Broadhurst Park ended in a 2-0 win for FC; goals for Aaron Morris and Cian Hayes gave United victory in November 2021. Tomorrow’s visitors have only managed two points from four away games against FC United.