Belper Exit Derbyshire Senior Cup With Narrow Defeat At Mickleover

Manager Lee Attenborough gave debuts to goalkeeper Jason Alexander and loan defender Joshua Ashman, whilst also welcoming back Curtis Burrows after a four-week absence. The Nailers had former Sports players Phil Watt and Mason Warren in their ranks.

On a cold and frosty evening, the 219 spectators were warmed with an entertaining game of football as the Nailers turned around a modest first half display by pushing the Southern Central Premier Division hosts all the way after the break.

Sam Tomlinson had the first shot of the evening with an effort just wide in the 5th minute, and as the Nailers took time to settle on the artificial surface, the hosts took an early lead in the 6th minute when Marcus Barnes struck a shot into the corner of the goal.

Barnes had an effort kicked off the line 3 minutes later and then Will Trueman tested Jason Alexander with a deflected effort in the 16th minute. In a testing first 25 minutes the Nailers rode their luck when Leon Clarke missed a great opportunity by firing wide.

Cameron Johnson’s volleyed effort in the 30th minute was safely held by Oliver Bosworth, but within 60 seconds, Sports extended their lead when Tomlinson slotted the ball in from close range to make it 2-0.

Curtis Burrows had an opportunity in the 38th minute but his effort from the edge of the penalty area was always rising.

The Nailers needed a positive response in the second half, and from the outset they were much better. In fact, they looked more like their old selves and showed the form that kept them at the top of the NPL East table for so long up until mid November.

Kevin Bastos unselfishly squared the ball to the unmarked Johnson on 52 minutes and the Belper striker took great pleasure in scoring against his former club. He had another opportunity 2 minutes later but overran the ball as he approached the Mickleover goal.

Bastos headed the ball onto the far post and Sports had good fortune when it bounced back into the arms of Bosworth. Burrows put a header just wide of the far post in the 68th minute, and now the Nailers were playing with newfound confidence.

Barnes was denied by a good block from Alexander in the 70th minute, and then Brodie Litchfield was unlucky to see his effort palmed away, after being given the chance by a superb Revarnelle James pass.

Another great move on 81 minutes culminated in a Litchfield shot saved at the foot of the post, and they continued to press forward for the remainder of the game in search of an equaliser that would have taken the tie into penalties.

Unfortunately, the Nailers slipped to their fourth successive defeat, but at least they provided a stern test for Mickleover who had to work hard for their win.

Mickleover FC: Bosworth, Bowman, Ferron, Mann, Bradley, Sandhu (Sault 68), Tomlinson (Dales 83), Trueman, Clarke (Beavon 58), Ryder, Barnes. Unused subs: Smith, Atwal.

Belper Town: Alexander, Ashman, Warren, Dunn, Atcha, Watt, James (Cadman 71), Burrows (Bessadi 77), Johnson, Litchfield, Bastos. Unused subs: Gregory, Walker, Rabone.

Referee: Martin Beard

Att: 219