If you overindulge on New Year’s Eve, then the best place to sober up will be a chilling encounter with Mickleover from just over the border in Derbyshire. The travelling fans at Nantwich were distraught at the full-time whistle. Playing with only 10 men we were winning 1-0 with 90 minutes on the clock. Sadly, Nantwich scored two goals in the 5 added on minutes. We need to be prepared for this against Mickleover as they have a habit of scoring late goals against us, many being disputed goals too. However, we must remain positive and strive for 3 points, with the hope that 2020 could be our year.

Mickleover I am sure will be looking to avenge our FA Cup victory on 7th September when we beat them 3-0. However, there is very little to compare the Mickleover side from September to the one they put out to beat Stalybridge away on 21st December. Last Saturday they did what we managed in beating Celtic on their own patch. Mickleover secured a win with a goal from player manager John Mc Grath and two old goal getters each got a goal each with Stuart Beavon and from the bench Lee Hughes. I am sure those two will keep out defence on their toes and we will need to keep them quiet if we want to get much needed 3 points. The team we beat in September saw only 4 appear in the squad last Saturday, so it is a much-changed side that has slowly climbed up the table.

Mickleover travel to Marston Road in 14th place with 27 points. On their travels they have won 4, drawn 2 and lost 5. In away games at our potential relegation candidates they have beaten Buxton, lost to Bamber bridge and drawn with Gainsborough and Grantham.

I know many fans are disappointed with our current position, but it is through our support that can attempt to help the players perform to the best of their abilities to secure much needed points to climb away from the bottom. So please venture to Marston Road on New Years day wit a fresh new year’s resolution to make 2020 our year.

Games played on News Years Day this century.

2000 Blakenhall H 2-2 Southern Midland Division
2004 Worcester A 1-0 Southern League
2007 Burton Albion A 0-0 Conference
2008 Burton Albion A 1-2 Conference
2009 Telford A 1-0 Conference North
2011 Telford A 0-0 Conference North
2013 Ashton A 0-0 Northern Premier League
2014 Rushall Olympic H 2-5 Northern Premier League
2015 Leek H 1-0 Northern Premier Division 1 South
2018 Hednesford A 1-2 Northern Premier League
2019 Mickleover A 2-3 Northern Premier league