Midland Football League Newsletter
9th December 2015 League News Big Centre TV are working towards a January launch for the new non-league show featuring the Midlands Football League. Currently, MFL sides are featuring within the nightly sports news. Travels of the Press Officer Saturday, December 5th Sporting Khalsa 3 Walsall Wood The third meeting in a short space of time between these local rivals and after the league meeting between them at Walsall Wood was abandoned due to high winds, it is with some trepidation that I enter the Aspray Arena with it blowing a gale. Thankfully, the conditions are nowhere near as bad as they were at the ML Safety stadium and it gave Khalsa a chance to play one of their many games in hand on the leaders. It didn’t take the home side long to get their noses in front, a cross from Carlo Franco picking out Craig Bannister, who controlled, swivelled and fired home in the 4th minute. The Wood went close to an equaliser when James Pemberton saved well from Dan Griffiths. Anthony Juxon then saw his shot cleared off the line and Ben Birch fired over as Wood looked for an equaliser. Instead, it was 2-0 to Khalsa. Bannister struck a delicious free-kick which rebounded off the post and Brad Lawley poked the ball home. The second goal seemed to drain Wood of any impetus and Khalsa again went close when Bannister shot just wide from all of 40 yards. The home side were playing some excellent football and a neat interchange down the right saw Franco’s cross just in front of David Meese. Steven Hayles came to Wood’s rescue with a super challenge to thwart Bannister. With half-time approaching, Lee Evans made a fine acrobatic save to keep out Bannister’s header. Khalsa were not to be denied and they grabbed the third before the half-time whistle. Marvin Nisbett heading home from close range. In the 62nd minute visions of the first abandoned game were revisited as the game was suspended due to a floodlight failure. With Walsall Wood in the dressing room, the lights flickered into life much to the relief of everyone concerned and the game could continue. Lawley should have made it four but his header was straight at Evans. Ricardo Ricketts forced a save from Pemberton and Drew Aiton was off target with a header in a rare Wood attack. In Stoppage time at the end of the 90, Kane Cork saw his point-blank shot saved by Evans but Khalsa will take the win and the clean sheet as they look to close the gap on leaders Hereford. A disappointing day for Walsall Wood who certainly missed the injured Joey Butlin. Review Premier Division With Hereford in County Cup action and both Alvechurch and Heanor Town seeing their games postponed, the focus was on whether Sporting Khalsa could close the gap at the top with one of their 6 games in hand. The answer was an emphatic yes as they were comfortable 3-0 winners over Walsall Wood at The Aspray Arena. At the bottom of the table, Brocton moved up to 17th with a 2-0 win at basement side Continental Star. Boldmere St Michaels continued their rise up the table with a 2-1 home win over Long Eaton United, their opening goal being wind assisted from the half way line. Coventry Sphinx looked to have picked up a much-needed point at Loughborough University but the students grabbed all 3 points with a 94th-minute winner. Karl Demidh returned from injury with a bang, scoring a hat-trick to ease Rocester’s relegation concerns as they beat Dunkirk 4-1 at Hillsfield. Westfields are in 18th position and they went down at home to Coleshill Town 2-1. Quorn are another side in trouble and a Dan Flowers goal was enough for a Lye Town victory at Stourbridge Road. A goal 6 minutes from time from Luke Edwards gave Bardon Hill a point in a 2-2 draw at AFC Wulfrunians. Alvechurch closed the gap on Hereford to just 6 points following a 3-0 win at Westfields on Tuesday. There was a healthy midweek crowd of 216 swelled by a number of interested Hereford supporters. Division 1 Coventry United increased their lead at the top of the table to 10 points with a 6-2 home win over Heather St Johns. Mat Brown scored four as United maintained their record of dropping just 3 points in the league all season. 2nd placed Nuneaton Griff were beaten 4-0 at Leicester Road who are just 3 points off second with two games in hand, James Hicks with a double. A fantastic crowd of 401 saw Bromsgrove Sporting come from behind to beat Hinckley AFC courtesy of a Kyle Turner double. Pilkington XXX recent excellent run came to an abrupt halt as a Dave Yonwin inspired Lichfield City ran out 5-1 winners to move level on points with 2nd placed Griff. Littleton are in 7th place after a 2-0 win at Cadbury Athletic. There was a dramatic finish at Heath Hayes as the home side clinched victory over Pershore Town with a Joe Pickering goal in the 15th minute of added on time. Racing Club Warwick are up to 11th after a 4-2 win over Pelsall Villa at Townsend Meadow. At the bottom, basement boys Stafford Town remain 5 points adrift after losing 4-1 at Atherstone Town. Big winners of the day were Coventry Copsewood who put seven past Studley, Lawrence Rawlings with a hat-trick. Division 2 The eagerly anticipated clash between Alvis Sporting Club and Chelmsley Town was abandoned at half-time due to floodlight failure. This gave Rostance Edwards the chance to jump into 3rd place after a narrow 2-1 win over Austrey Rangers. In the only other game to survive the weather, Coton Green beat Paget Rangers 2-1 to move into the top 6. Division 3 Hats off to AFC Solihull who picked up their first point of the season at the 12th time of asking in a 2-2 draw with Badsey Rangers. Alcester Town continued their fine form with a 5-0 win over Enville Athletic, hotshot Matthew Layton adding 3 more to take his tally to 16 for the season. Redditch Borough are up to 3rd, Jak Albutt with all the goals in a 3-1 win at Shipston Excelsior. FC Stratford will be thankful they reversed the fixture with Coventrians as they ran out 5-1 winners. Boldmere Sports & Social Falcons picked up a valuable 3 points at Inkberrow, the 2-1 win moving them 3 places up the league table. Les James Challenge Cup Sutton United are through to the quarter-finals after a 2-1 win at Northfield Town. Challenge Vase For the second time in a week, Smithswood Firs knocked Barton United out of a cup competition, Firs winning by four goals to one, to reach the semi-final. County Cups Hereford entertained Bromyard Town in the Herefordshire Challenge Cup and continued their good goalscoring form with a 6-0 victory, Pablo Haysham with a hat-trick. Long Eaton United took a higher division scalp as they knocked Ilkeston out of the Derbyshire Senior Cup at The New Manor Ground, 2-1 the score. Heanor Town also made progress in the Derbyshire County Cup with a comfortable 4-0 win over New Mills, Jay Cooper with a couple. Lye Town knocked out higher level Banbury United in the Birmingham Senior Cup, winning the game on penalties. In the Leicestershire Senior Cup, Quorn needed extra time to edge their tie with Harborough Town. Another dramatic derby at St Johns Park as Hinckley AFC beat Leicester Road 4-3 after extra time. It was 2-2 at full time and when Leicester Road took the lead it looked like an away win. Goalkeeper Simon Arnold, playing outfield equalised before a last minute penalty from Ryan Seal sent Hinckley through. Another disappointing night for Dunkirk as they were knocked out of the Nottinghamshire Senior Cup by Radford, losing 3-2 a home. A good game at Brinsford Lane in the Walsall Senior Cup, as Walsall Wood beat Wolverhampton Casuals 4-2. In the Smedley Crooke Memorial Charity Cup, Rostance Edwards pulled off a shock beating higher division Pelsall Villa 2-1 at The Old Bush. Bolehall Swifts tough season continued with defeat in the Birmingham Midweek Floodlit Cup at the hands of Dudley Town, the visitors winning 3-0. High scorers on the night were Coventry Copsewood with an 8-2 victory over Southam United in the same competition, making it 15 goals in two games. The result is all the more surprising as Southam took a 2-0 lead early on. Reserve Division League leaders Coleshill Town were held at home by Lichfield City. There were 8 goals at Silkmore Lane as Brocton and Gresley drew 4-4. Cameron Barton got a hat-trick as Evesham United won 4-2 at Romulus and it was a similar scoreline for Continental Star as they won away at Sutton United. Under 21 Divisions Only one game in the South Division as H.O.W. Academy and Bedworth United drew 1-1. In the North Division, Sutton Coldfield Town go top after a 4-2 win over Heath Hayes. Tipton Town made it two Bowl wins on the spin as they beat West Midlands Football Academy 5-2. Weekend preview FA Vase It is the 3rd round of the FA Vase and a chance for a number of our clubs to make the national stages of the competition in January. Hereford have been installed as favourites by the bookies for the competition and they will be in confident mood ahead of their home tie with fellow Premier Division side Brocton. The Badgers have shown improved form in recent weeks including that remarkable 5-5 draw with Heanor Town. This promises to be an exciting game and I think it will be a lot closer than some people think. Another all Premier Division tie takes place at the ML Safety Stadium as Walsall Wood entertain Alvechurch. The Church are in excellent form and closed the gap on Hereford at the top of the league table to 6 points with another win in midweek. The form says an away win but The Wood have a good record in this competition and another tight game is in prospect. AFC Wulfrunians travel to Cheshire to face a struggling Alsager Town. Alsager have recently appointed former Norton United Manager Scott Dundas as their new man in charge and they have reserved their best performances for cup competitions. Saying that Wulfs have to be favourites and I fully expect to see them in Monday’s draw. Uttoxeter Town have surprised many by reaching the 3rd round and Coleshill Town will have to be on their guard when the two sides meet on Saturday. Coleshill have had a good year in cup competitions taking some major scalps in the FA Cup and they have a realistic chance of going a long way in the competition. Providing they don’t underestimate the home side, I would expect to see them in round 4. Nuneaton Griff are the last Division 1 side standing and they travel to Derbyshire to face Central Midlands League Pinxton. Pinxton shocked Long Eaton United in the previous round and, like Griff, are amongst the goals with 15 in their last three games. Griff lost at Leicester Road last time out but will be confident of extending their run in the competition. Don’t be surprised if this one goes to extra time. Premier Division With the leaders in FA Vase action, Sporting Khalsa can close the gap to 9 points with four games in hand if they can win at Stourport Swifts. Khalsa have won 10 league games on the trot and will expect to return from Walshes Meadow with three points. 5th placed Shepshed Dynamo are right in the mix for promotion and they have a tricky assignment away at Long Eaton United despite the home side’s recent mixed results. A huge game at the bottom of the table as the basement two meet at the Ron Steel Sports Ground. Dunkirk will hope home advantage counts but Continental Star will want to avenge the recent home defeat at the hands of Dunkirk. Coventry Sphinx, under the new management of Robbie Banks, are desperately in need of points and they welcome mid-table Lye Town to Sphinx Drive. Boldmere St Michaels have rocketed up the league table in recent weeks and will expect more of the same when they entertain lowly Westfields, in need of points themselves. Two mid-table sides meet at Hollywell as Loughborough University welcome Bardon Hill to the University Stadium. The students, on their day, play some of the best football in the league and this could be a good game to watch. Division 1 Coventry United will be confident of maintaining their 10 point lead as they travel to Racing Club Warwick. Lichfield City will go second if they can win at free-scoring Coventry Copsewood, who have plundered 15 goals in two games. Should City slip up, then Leicester Road could overtake them if they can beat Heath Hayes at home. Pilkington XXX great run came to an abrupt end last week but they can get back to winning ways at home to Atherstone Town, who themselves had a good win last week. Studley conceded 7 at home to Copsewood last weekend and they face another difficult afternoon with a trip to 7th placed Littleton. Hinckley AFC had a remarkable County Cup win in midweek and they will want to use this as a platform when they welcome Pelsall Villa to St Johns Park. At the bottom Stafford Town need to pick up points and they welcome Cadbury Athletic to Evans Park, the visitors on a run of three straight defeats. Southam United concede 8 in midweek and they will want to erase that memory when they entertain fellow strugglers Pershore Town, in a real relegation 6 pointer. Division 2 Leaders Chelmsley Town travel to 2nd bottom Feckenham looking to maintain their recent form and extend their lead at the top. The next highest placed side in action are Sutton United in 5th place who travel to 10th placed Knowle. Basement side Earlswood Town entertain Coton Green in what will be their first home game since October. Two games affecting the middle of the table see Austrey Rangers host Paget Rangers and Fairfield Villa welcome Hampton. Division 3 Alcester Town are the form side in the division and they entertain bottom club AFC Solihull, fresh from picking up their first point of the season. The big game of the day sees 1st against 3rd as Leamington Hibernian entertain Redditch Borough. 2nd placed Smithswood Firs could retake the lead if they win at Coventrians and results elsewhere go their way. Enville Athletic have slipped down the table in recent weeks and they host the team immediately below them, 15th placed Perrywood. Boldmere Sports & Social Falcons picked up a good away win last week and are on the road again as they travel to Badsey Rangers. Shipston Excelsior could put themselves right in the promotion mix if they can pick up all 3 points at Inkberrow. Challenge Vase Quarter final of the Challenge Vase as Northfield Town entertain FC Stratford. With both sides within 6 points of the top of Division 3, this could be a very tight affair. Presidents Cup In form Droitwich Spa travel to Barnt Green Spartak in the quarter-final of the Presidents Cup. Form favours Droitwich who are on a run of 6 consecutive wins in all competitions. Reserve Division Cadbury Athletic vs Romulus Coventry United vs Continental Star Coleshill Town vs Solihull Moors Rocester vs Lichfield City Under 21 Divisions Bromsgrove Sporting vs Leamington (U21S) Gornal Athletic vs West Midlands Football Academy (U21S) Bedworth United vs Stourport Swifts (U21S) Heath hayes vs Kings Heath Concorde (BOWL) Tamworth vs H.O.W. Academy (BOWL) Anstey Nomads vs Walsall Wood (U21N) Sutton Coldfield Town vs Tipton Town (U21N) Midland Football League Newsletter
2nd December 2015 League News Westfields FC are sad to announce that one of their original founder members from 1966, Roy Chandler, has sadly passed away at the weekend. Roy was an inspirational inside forward and a quality player who after leaving school went to Cardiff City. Roy came back in the mid ’60s and helped to form Westfields Football Club and was a founder member and also played for Lads Club and Credenhill in addition to Westfields. Roy was a talented inside forward and a real quality player who would score goals as well as make them for other players. He was an unselfish player with a lovely attitude towards the game. He was a big Hereford United fan as well as keeping in touch with Westfields Football Club over the past 49 years. He would watch Westfields, attend reunions and was to this day a member of the Executive/Supporters’ Club at Westfields Football Club. Roy will be sadly missed, not only by his family and friends but also by the football community in Hereford. Coventry Sphinx Football Club are delighted to announce that Robbie Banks has been appointed as their 1st Team Manager. Banks replaces Luke Hopkins who stepped down last week. Club Chairman, Dannie Cahill commented, “since the departure of Luke we have received a lot of interest from well experienced managers from around the Midlands which clearly demonstrates just how far this club has gone in recent years and is a testament to everybody involved in the football club” “Robbie is currently our Club Captain and since his arrival in the summer he has shown great maturity together with strong leadership qualities. He is also well respected by all the players which is a vital attribute to have. Although he falls short in managerial experience his attitude and professionalism since his arrival well makes up for it. With this in mind he has brought in well experienced back room staff to assist him. Managers’ careers have to start somewhere and we as a club have the confidence to help devoted players such as Robbie to get onto the managerial ladder. At this level Robbie’s appointment could be seen as a risk but the support he will get from everybody involved will help him grow into his new post. We all wish him well” Upon his appointment a delighted Banks commented, “It’s a great opportunity for myself and I'm looking forward to getting started. I love the club and the people involved, it has an amazing set up from the bottom to the top and has a lot of ambition which I share” “I would like to take this opportunity to thank Luke and Chris who did a great job, for different reasons results didn't quite go our way but things don't always work out in football. Luke set the standards high in terms of application, good habits and professionalism which I have now inherited” “I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Martin Ascroft, Lynton Wilkinson, Craig Reid and Tom Cudworth for stepping in at short notice to steady the ship during the transition period” “I'm very positive about our team and the players within it, I think we are currently under achieving and it's now my responsibility to ensure the team changes that which I'm more than confident we will” Travels of the Press Officer Saturday, November 28th Brocton 5 Heanor Town 5 Just when you think you’ve seen it all in this wonderful league of ours, you stumble across a game which has everything. That was the case at Silkmore Lane last Saturday. The weather was atrocious with torrential rain, gusty winds and a very wet surface to contend with. Before I discuss the game, I must doff my virtual hat to Terry Homer, the groundsman of Brocton, without whose expertise and care, we would not have seen such a spectacular game. Heanor arrived in Staffordshire in second place and hot on the heels of league leaders Hereford. When the two sides met earlier in the season, Heanor grabbed a point with a last-minute equaliser – we couldn’t see anything as dramatic could we? It was the visitors who started on the front foot and they took the lead in the 17th minute when a free-kick fell to Kieran Debrouwer whose finish was clinical. Jay Copper saw a shot well saved by Callum Barrett before Dave Berks forced a fine save from Ben Townsend at the other end. With 25 minutes gone, Berks hit a shot from 25 yards which beat Townsend but cannoned off the post. Berks and Sam Bell then combined but Bell ballooned his shot over the bar when an equaliser looked likely. Heanor’s response was immediate and a long ball found Cooper whose control and finish was of the highest quality. Back came Brocton and the woodwork again came to Heanor’s rescue. A shot by skipper Sean Kinsella was touched on the post by Townsend and then Gary Fife’s curling effort beat the keeper but hit the crossbar. Heanor certainly know how to counter attack and while Brocton were bemoaning their luck the ball was played through to Debrouwer who made no mistake. The half-time whistle came with everyone drawing breath but the second half was to surpass this 10 times over. Immediately after the resumption Brocton pulled a goal back when Fife slotted into the corner. It didn’t take Heanor long to re-establish the 3 goal cushion, 30 seconds in fact when Debrouwer turned provider for Nathan Kelly, another superb goal. Within four minutes, Brocton got their second. A quick break from berks sending Bell clear, and he beat Townsend and slotted home. We had to wait 6 minutes for another goal and again, Heanor restored their lead with Joe Naylor heading home a corner. Barrett made another fine save from Kelly as Heanor looked for more goals but back came the home side. Bell reached the by-line, his cross was nodded down by Paul McMahon and Dave Ablewhite squeezed the ball home at the near post. Barrett again thwarted Kelly before Brocton dreamed of the comeback with a fourth goal courtesy of a header from Bell. Bell went close again forcing a save from Townsend before the Badgers drew level, Veteran striker Paul McMahon heading home. Both sides went for the winner but the nearest we came was in stoppage time when Craig Holland headed over the Heanor cross bar. A remarkable game in diabolical conditions. Both sides played fantastic attacking football and credit to the referee who let the game flow. This was non-league football at its very best and a huge credit to everyone involved. Review FA Vase Nuneaton Griff have reached the 3rd round of the FA Vase for the first time in their history after a 4-2 replay win over Highgate United. With the game switched to Coleshill Town’s new 3G pitch, doubles from leading scorer Luke Shorthouse and from Aden Moore saw Griff through to an away tie at Pinxton. Premier Division With the weather taking its toll on 4 fixtures, leaders Hereford took the opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the table. With the new 3G pitch at Pack Meadow guaranteeing a game, Coleshill Town became the latest side to feel the full force of the Bulls as the visitors ran out 4-1 winners. Coleshill at least had the consolation of being the first side to score against Hereford in the league for 10 games when Luke Barlone netted in the 80th minute. 2nd placed Heanor Town were involved in a remarkable game at Brocton. The Lions three times led by 3 clear goals, 3-0, 4-1 and 5-2 before the Badgers staged a stunning fightback to drew the game 5-5. Shepshed Dynamo were the other big winners on the day, moving up to 4th place following a 4-0 win at Westfields. Matt Langham bagged another brace to take his season tally to 14. AFC Wulfrunians missed out on the chance of closing the gap on the leaders after they went down 2-1 at home to Stourport Swifts. Walsall Wood also missed their chance of closing the gap when they were beaten at the ML Safety Stadium by Long Eaton United by the odd goal in 5. Bottom club Continental Star picked up their 5th point of the season with a 2-2 draw at Quorn. It could have been even better for Star who led 2-0 but an equaliser 5 minutes from time earned Quorn a point. In midweek, Heanor Town travelled to Loughborough University and for the second time in 4 days had to settle for a point. They were grateful to substitute Alessandro del Genio who equalised in stoppage time. Long Eaton United are up to 7th after an emphatic 5-1 win over AFC Wulfrunians at Grange Park. Division 1 The big match between the top two went the way of leaders Coventry United thanks to a Ross Briscoe goal late in the second half. The score doesn’t tell the whole tale as Nuneaton Griff were down to nine men inside the first half. The win leaves United 7 points clear at the top with a game in hand. Lichfield City are up to 3rd after a 3-1 win over Southam United with Dave Yonwin scoring twice. Level on points with Lichfield are Bromsgrove Sporting who came away from Littleton with 3 points after a 3-0 win with Sam Wills getting a brace. Pelsall Villa are in the top half of the table after they came from behind to beat Atherstone Town 2-1. Racing Club Warwick eased themselves away from the bottom of the table and are up to 14th after a Chris Dusabe goal helped them beat Hinckley AFC. In the game between the bottom two, a solitary goal from Troy Wellan gave Bolehall Swifts all 3 points and left Stafford Town five points adrift. Division 2 4th placed Rostance Edwards were the highest side in league action this weekend and they maintained their position with a 1-0 win over Barnt Green Spartak. There were goals aplenty as Austrey Rangers and Fairfield Villa shared 8 between them. Sutton United were also in goalscoring form with a 4-1 win over bottom club Earlswood Town, Chad Duggan with a couple. Division 3 The undoubted result of the day came at Perrywood as second bottom Alcester Town ran rampant with a stunning 8-0 victory. There were hat-tricks for Matt Trinder and Matt Layton as Alcester jump three places in the table. Enville Athletic drop down to 13th after a 3-0 home defeat at the hands of Inkberrow. Northfield Town had an opportunity to move into the top 4 but they had to settle for a point after a 2-2 draw at Coventrians. Les James Challenge Cup Smithswood Firs and Knowle progressed to the quarter-finals of the competition after good away wins. Knowle needed extra time to get past Burntwood Town while Smithswood scored 5 as they beat Barton United 5-2. Presidents Cup Hampton moved into the semi-finals after a 5-3 win over Paget Rangers with Gareth Evans scoring twice. County Cups In the Worcestershire Junior Cup, Droitwich Spa went through after a 2-0 win over Welland but Badsey Rangers are out following a 7-3 home defeat at the hands of Worcester Raiders. FC Stratford had a comfortable passage in the Coventry Evening Telegraph Cup with a 5-1 win at FC Dunlop. Coton Green also scored 5, in a 5-2 win over BT in the Fazeley Charity Cup. One game in the Birmingham Saturday Amateur Cup, with AFC Solihull being knocked out, losing 3-2 at home to Triumph Athletic. Sporting Khalsa made progress in the JW Hunt Cup following a 2-0 win over Walsall Wood at the Aspray Arena. And now face Stafford Town in Round 2. Racing Club Warwick bowed out of the Birmingham Midweek Floodlit Cup losing 4-2 at Gornal Athletic. Reserve Division Bottom club Gresley have now closed the gap on the sides above them following an excellent 4-1 win at Evesham United. In the only other game to survive the weather, Cadbury Athletic won 3-2 at Continental Star. Under 21 Divisions The weather was the big winner with four games being postponed. In the North Division Tamworth are back on top after a 2-0 win at Basford United. In the Bowl, South beat North with Bedworth United 4-0 winners over Sutton Coldfield Town. Tipton Town had a morale boosting 3-2 victory in the Bowl over Walsall Wood Weekend preview Premier Division With leaders Hereford in County Cup action, attention turns to the chasing pack who will be striving to close the gap opened up by the Bulls. 2nd placed Heanor Town have dropped four points with two away draws this week and it doesn’t get any easier for the Lions with a tough looking fixture away to 6th placed Highgate United. 3rd placed Alvechurch have been devoid if action and will be hoping to get close the gap between themselves and the Bulls to 6 points when they travel to Stourport Swifts. Sporting Khalsa have 6 games in hand on the leaders and the first of those is a local derby at home to Walsall Wood on Saturday. The sides met in the JW Hunt Cup in midweek but with league points at stake, this could be a very close encounter. Bottom club Continental Star picked up a much needed point last week and they welcome Brocton to Dales Lane. The Badgers featured in that remarkable 5-5 draw with Heanor Town last week and a win for them could see them jump 4 places. There is another big game at the bottom of the table at Hillsfield as Rocester entertain Dunkirk. The Romans’ position may well be false as they have only played 14 games but a win will help them move away from the drop zone. Coventry Sphinx slide into the bottom four has been one of the surprises of the season and, under new management, they travel to Loughborough University hoping to restart their season. The students were unlucky in midweek against Heanor Town and will be favourites on their own patch. Boldmere St Michaels have turned the corner of late and they can continue their rise up the table when they welcome Long Eaton United to Church Road. Another side looking over their shoulder near the foot of the table are Quorn and they travel to inconsistent Lye Town who are tough to beat at home. Westfields are only 5 points above the drop zone and they will be looking for all three points when Coleshill Town visit Allpay Park. AFC Wulfrunians are having a good season, and they can cement their place in the top ten with a home win over Bardon Hill, themselves having a solid start to life in the Midland Football League. Division 1 Weather permitting, there is a full programme of fixtures in Division 1. Two games stand out for me. It’s 5th against 2nd as Leicester Road entertain FA Vase heroes Nuneaton Griff. Last time out in the league both sides suffered disappointment and both need a win to keep in touch with Coventry United. At the City Ground, 3rd placed Lichfield City welcome 6th placed Pilkington XXX. The Pilks are on a run of 7 straight wins but Lichfield have been winning and scoring heavily in recent weeks – this one could be a cracker. Leaders Coventry United have opened up a seven point gap and they will expect to maintain that when they welcome lowly Heather St Johns to Sphinx Drive. There should be a decent crowd at The Victoria Ground when the two best supported sides lock horns. Bromsgrove Sporting have a game in hand on the leaders and will expect home advantage to count against Hinckley AFC who were surprised at home by Racing Club Warwick last week. Stafford Town are 5 points adrift at the bottom of the table and they will have realistic hopes when they travel to Atherstone Town who are not in the best of form. Bolehall Swifts have clawed themselves off the bottom and they will expect to continue their improved form at fellow strugglers Southam United. Pershore Town are only 3 points above the drop zone and they travel to mid-table Heath Hayes. Three other games affect the middle of the table, Cadbury Athletic at home to Littleton, Racing Club Warwick at home to Pelsall Villa and Studley at home to Coventry Copsewood. Division 2 Only one place to be in Division 2 and that is at the Alvis Sports Club as 3rd placed Alvis Sporting Club welcome leaders Chelmsley Town. Alvis haven’t played a league game since October so Chelmsley have taken the opportunity to take over at the top. With only 1 defeat between them this season and both average more than 3 goals per game, this should be a great advert for Division 2. Rostance Edwards have maintained good form over the season and the 4th placed side welcome Austrey Rangers to The Old Red Lion. At the bottom, Earslwood Town have a solitary point to their name and they welcome Fairfield Villa to the Pavilions. The two teams above Earlswood meet at The Entaco as Feckenham host Barnt Green Spartak. Paget Rangers have games in hand of every side in the league and they travel to Coton Green looking to get some momentum. Elsewhere Hampton host Knowle with both sides separated by just a point. Division 3 Leaders Leamington Hibernian travel to a Perrywood side hammered 8-0 at home by Alcester Town last week. Alcester Town host Enville Athletic looking to build on last week’s win. Bottom of the table AFC Solihull are at home to Badsey Rangers, who themselves were beaten 7-3 in the County Cup last week. FC Stratford have slipped to 8th through lack of league games and they will want to put pressure on the leaders when they travel to Coventrians. Shipston Excelsior have had some good results of late and they entertain Redditch Borough with both sides on 10 points. Inkberrow entertain 2nd bottom Boldmere Sports & Social Falcons with a chance to move into the top half of the table. Les James Challenge Cup Division 3 Northfield own entertain 2nd Division Sutton United with a chance for a giant killing to gain a place in the quarter-finals. Challenge Vase Smithswood Firs and Barton United meet for the second week running in a cup competition. Smithswood were victors last week at Barton winning 5-2 and will be favourites to win at home. Reserve Division Coventry United vs Rocester Romulus vs Evesham United Sutton United vs Continental Star Brocton vs Gresley Coleshill Town vs Lichfield City Under 21 Divisions H.O.W. Academy vs Bedworth United (U21S) Kings Heath Concorde vs Stourport Swifts (U21S) Tipton Town vs West Midlands Football Academy (BOWL) Sutton Coldfield Town vs Heath Hayes (U21N) Tamworth vs Anstey Nomads (U21N) |
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