Feb 2010 Ex-Mike round up
Following the enforced weather break in January, the month of February saw a glut of fixtures as teams try to clear the fixture backlog, meaning plenty of opportunity for former Mikes to get themselves on the scoresheet.
Matt Gardner was on the move again, with Coalville Town being his fourth MFA team of the season after leaving Stratford. He certainly remembered to take his shooting boots, starting in red-hot form for The Ravens with 8 goals in his first month. After introducing himself by getting the only goal in the victory over Westfields, he followed that up with the opener in a 3-0 home success over Malvern. It got better in the 7-1 rout of struggling Highgate United as Gardner helped himself to a hat trick, while Tobias Salmon notched the consolation for The Gate.
Gardner followed this up with a both goals in the crucial 2-1 win at fellow high-flyers Tipton Town, but he had to be content with a single goal in the 3-0 victory over his last club Stratford last Saturday.
Highgate also endured another heavy loss at Loughborough University. Salmon again bagged the solitary consolation while six goals flew in at the other end.
Also closing February with a consolation goal was Craig Thomas, who has returned to Alvechurch following a spell at Evesham United. His latest strike came in the 3-1 reverse at Westfields, but at was a happier scenario at the beginning of the month as he rounded off Church’s 4-0 romp at Bridgnorth.
His Alvechurch colleague Callum Gittings had a quiet month, adding one goal to his tally. This came in the impressive 3-0 home win over Coventry Sphinx.
Also adding a single strike was Tipton Town’s Eric Bowen. After we said his goals were somewhat of a rarity after January’s strike, he repeated the dose in the comfortable 3-0 home win over Westfields.
It has been a quieter month for Kev Charley. However, his two strikes away from home have both been crucial. The Barwell striker opened the scoring in the last 16 of the FA Vase at Willand Rovers, helping Canaries to a 2-2 draw and eventual progression after a replay. Later in the month, he bagged the only goal in the league leaders’ clash at Stratford.
His Barwell colleague Liam MacDonald also appeared on the scoresheet, bagging the second in the 3-1 Leicestershire derby triumph at Oadby Town.
Oadby fared better in the Westerby Cup, emerging victorious at Shepshed Dynamo. Roland Agbor was on target at the Dovecote, bringing the home side level before their MFA visitors came through 2-1 in extra time.
As recently seems to be the case, another former Mikes player enjoyed playing against us. This time it was Chris Sturridge-Packer, who marked his debut on loan from Romulus by scoring in Bridgnorth Town's 3-1 win at the Trevor Brown Memorial Ground
A player even less likely to trouble the scorers than usual is Jamie Fisher, whose season at Shifnal Town looks to be over following confirmation that he has a hernia.
Another player who left the Mikes this season is Adam Wood. He has brought his spell in the Unibond League to a premature end, leaving Market Drayton Town. He has moved much closer to ‘home’, joining our neighbours Sutton Coldfield Town.
Sutton’s tenants Romulus enjoyed a field day against Beaconsfield SYCOB, running out 7-1 winners. Tom Wilmore helped himself to a first half double amongst five first half goals for the home side.
The Roms also hit the goal trail at Stourport Swifts, winning 4-2. Mykel Beckley, on loan from Leamington, grabbed their opener.
Gary Hay is currently wearing the blue of Chasetown. The hit man rounded off the scoring in the Scholars’ excellent 4-0 Staffordshire Senior Cup triumph at Stafford Rangers.
Still appearing in the Unibond League is Willenhall’s Matty Whitehouse. He bagged the single reply in a 4-1 defeat at Grantham Town. Also featuring in the Lockmen’s colours is Andre Calder.
Last but not least, Stuart McNaught has opened his goalscoring account for Rushall Olympic, giving the Pics the lead at home to Lincoln United. However, the visitors hit four without further reply to emerge comfortable winners.
