League News
The draw has been made for the 1st round proper of the FA Vase. Ties to take place on Saturday 22nd October
Shifnal Town (WMRLP) vs Quorn (MFLP)
Heanor Town (MFLP) vs Blidworth Welfare (CMLS)
St Andrews (MFLP) vs Paget Rangers (MFL2)
Long Eaton United (MFLP) vs Coventry United (MFLP)
Wolverhampton Casuals (WMRL) vs Chelmsley Town (MFL1)
Handsworth Parramore (NCELP) vs Shepshed Dynamo (MFLP)
Bromsgrove Sporting (MFL1) vs Cadbury Athletic (MFL1)
Westfields (MFLP) vs Walsall Wood (MFLP)
Hinckley AFC (MFL1) vs Wolverhampton Sporting Community (WMRLP)
Lichfield City (MFL1) vs Shawbury United (MFLP)
Rocester (MFLP) vs Oakham United (UCL1)
Uttoxeter Town (MFL1) vs Leicester Road (MFL1)
Sporting Khalsa (MFLP) vs Hanley Town (NWCLP)
Coventry Copsewood (MFL1) vs Holbeach United (UCLP)
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Coton Green were found guilty of playing an ineligible player in their Division 2 fixture against Sutton United on Monday 29th August 2016. As Coton Green drew the fixture 2-2, under League Rule 8(0) they were deducted 1 point from their playing total.
Travels of the Press Officer
Saturday 24th September
FA Vase 2nd Qualifying Round (19)
Tipton Town 0 Bromsgrove Sporting 1
As with all FA competitions, the chance to visit clubs outside of the MFL is a bonus even if it is to a former MFL club. Tipton Town had a dreadful time last season but have started much beeter in Division 1 of the West Midlands regional League. Visitors were MFL Division 1 front runners Bromsgrove Sporting, who won 13-0 in the previous round. I have visited many grounds with running tracks around the pitch and no matter what the weather, it always seems to blow a gale in the main stand. The sensible ones took their poistion in the sun down the near touchline with the feeling that goals could be likely. The first chance of the game fell to the visitors in the 8th minute but Chris lloyd was well off target with his effort. Titpon had a chance in the 12th minute but Jordan Harrison missed his kick and the chance went begging. Tipton keeper Mark Brach made the first of many excellent saves in the 14th minute, fingertipping away a header from Sean Brain. Romario reid had an opportunity for Tipton, robbing Dan Morris however his toe-poked effort was never goimng to trouble Chris jay. Brach amde another decent save in the 21st minute to thwart Robbie Bunn.
Bromsgrove again went close in the 27th minute when a cross from Dan Ludlow was headed goalwards by Tony Clarke but that man brach was on hand again to save well. With half time approaching, Clarke had another good chance for Bromsgrove but fired straight at Brach.
The second half continued in the same vein with Bromsgrove having the majority of the play without getting the all important goal. That changed on the hour mark. An excellent crossfield ball from Bunn picked out Lloyd on the right flank. He cut inside, onto his left foot and curled a superb shot from 25 yards into the roof of the net. A minute later it could have been two when Clarke ran through on goal but Paul Henley made a fine defensive tackle. Bromsgrove continued to drive forward and the arrival of three substitutes gave them a new zest. One of the subs, Ahmed Ali almost set-up a second goal, flicking the ball on to Lloyd whose first time volley was brilliantly saved by Brach. Tjhe same two players combined in the 68th minute but Lloyd’s volley was this time off target. Tipton to their credit never gave up but found the Bromsgrove defence too good and they finished the game without having tested Chris Jay.
Bromsgrove progress to round 1 but some words of credit for Tipton Town. After such a torrid time, it appears the club is on its way back and there is a confidence that they can get it right on the pitch in the way that they have off it. One of the friendlies clubs I have visited and, even though I dislike pitches with athletic tracks around them, I will return to see if they can start the climb back up to where they belong.
Tuesday September 27th
Premier Division (20)
AFC Wulfrunians 1 Shawbury United 0
With both sides struggling at the wrong end of the table, there was a feeling of a must win game even though we were still in September. The home side made the perfect start, taking the lead in the 4th minute. An excellent through ball from Jake Webb picked out Demetri Brown. Brown took his time, picked his spot and lifted the ball over the keeper and into the net. Shawbury appeared shell shocked by the start made by Wulfs. A minute after the goal, Brown made another good run down the right hand side but his cross was cleared from danger. In the 8th minute Brown saw his shot blocked as Wulfs continued to pile on the pressure. Shawbury’s first chance came in the 13th minute when Andy Haynes cleared the cross bar with a free-kick. On the quarter hour, Kyle Brady went close to doubling Wulfs lead, his shot just off target. Webb then hit the side netting after spinning away from a defender. Webb should have made it two in the 19th minute. A right wing cross from Brady was laid on a plate for Webb but he missed his kick and Joel Caines couldn’t turn it home.
Following the initial 20 minute onslaught, the visitors gained a foothold and began to look dangerous. On the half hour, Liam Armstrong hit a shot straight at Danny Tipton in the Wulfs goal.
Liam Taylor tried his luck from distance but his shot was always rising. Just before half –time, Kieran Dovey found himself in space but his shot was poor. The ball came out to Keanu Cooper whose volley was inches wide. In the last minute of the half, Brown found Brady whose shot flew across the face of the goal.
Just after the break, the impressive Brown caused problems in the Shawbury defence but yet again, the cross flew across the face of the goal without anyone getting a final touch. A massive scramble in the Wulfs area could have led to a Shawbury equaliser but Stuart Ellis couldn’t force the ball home.
Brown went close again for Wulfs before Dovey forced a save from Tipton at the other end. Wulfs should have made it two in the 69th minute but Brown volleyed over. Shawbury were striving for the equaliser and following a knock down from Ellis, Armstrong fired wide. Ellis was causing all sorts of problems for the Wulfs defence and he crossed for Taylor who couldn’t get on the end. With 10 minutes left, Brown crossed for Jamie King but a lack of control from the Wulfs sub gave away possession. With three minutes on the clock, Ellis was brought down in the penalty area and to the surprise of everyone in the ground, no penalty was awarded. King went close in the final minute but Matthew Ballard in the Shawbury goal was equal to the effort. The final whistle went, with Shawbury incredulous at the referee’s decision not to award a penalty. I have to agree with them.
Travels of a Compliance Director
Saturday 24th September
Hajduk Split v Cibalia 6-1 Attendance 6,061
Having watched the Polymac Packaging League Cup game between Bromsgrove Sporting and Sporting Khalsa it was time to get on our travels to tick off some more foreign stadiums or in other words "a holiday to Croatia" First up following a day in beautiful Split we walked from the city centre to the Stadion Poljud. Arriving an hour and a half before kick off we were surprised at the lack of people around. Tickets were purchased for the best seats in the ground at a ridiculously cheap price of 80 Kuna (£9) Programmes were given away free and I managed to bag a team sheet as we were sat next to the Press Box. Following a poor first half the home side ripped Cibalia apart in the second half with former Portsmouth and Leicester City striker Mario Futacs coming off the bench to score the final goal. Despite the low crowd flares were still thrown onto the pitch by the Ultras who congregated behind the goal. Interestingly when Cibalia equalised we could not see one supporter in the crowd. A stadium that was in its heyday twenty years ago but is now well behind Europes elite.
Wednesday 28th September
GOSK Dubrovnik v Junak 2-1 Attendance 100
Following a three hour each way drive to get to Saturday's game today's Croatian Division 3 South game was a mere five minute walk from our hotel. The stadium is a ground graders nightmare consisting of nothing but concrete terracing and a couple of hundred seats with no shelter from the heat and more importantly no beer or refreshments available. The game was a 4pm kick off due to no flood lights. Admission here was 20 Kuna (£2.20) and I managed to talk the Secretary in to printing me off a team sheet. This was a decent game but not of a high standard. Most MFL Premier Division teams would have beaten either side. Back home tomorrow for Westfields big game in the FA Cup on Saturday.
Review
FA Vase
Pride of place in the 2nd qualifying round of the FA Vase goes to Paget Rangers from Division 2 who knocked out Premier Division Highgate United at Dales Lane. Daniel Carter bagged the all important winner in the 90th minute as Paget went through 2-1. There were a couple of shocks where Premier Divisions sides were beaten at home by sides from Division 1. Chelmsley Town won 2-0 at Brocton with an own goal and a last minute effort from Jem Mills given them a 2-0 victory. Cadbury Athletic grabbed a 2nd consecutive 1-0 away win, an own goal from Paul Hurrell being enough to beat Stourport Swifts. Ryan Seal of Hinckley AFC was the individual star performer of the round scoring 5 in Hinckley’s 6-3 win at Greenwood Meadows. Premier Division leaders Westfields continued banging in the goals as they beat Dudley Sports 8-0 at Allpay Park. Craig Jones scored a hat-trick and there was a double for Richard Greaves as Fields made it 23 goals in their last 4 games. Quorn progressed to Round 1 with a 2-0 win at Anstey Nomads. In an all Division 1 clash, Coventry Copsewood came out on top as they defeated Atherstone Town 2-1. Coventry United beat Wednesfield 2-0 at Sphinx Drive with goals from Ben Mackey and Chris Cox. Leicester Road were involved in a topsy turvy game at home to West Bridgford but they eventually went through 4-3 with a goal on his return for Amarvir Sandhu. Rocester left it late against Black Country Rangers, Oli Roome scoring the only goal of the game three minutes into added time. There was another late
winner at Wem as Nathan Hodge scored in the 91st minute to give Shawbury United a 3-2 win over Premier Division rivals Coventry Sphinx. Long Eaton United had to withstand a fightback from Stapenhill but they held on to win 3-2. A goal from Chris Lloyd on the hour mark was enough to give Bromsgrove Sporting victory at Tipton Town. Uttoxeter Town had a comfortable 3-0 win over West Midland league Wellington Amateurs to progress to round 1. Two goals in the last 5 minutes saw Walsall Wood beat a resolute Pegasus Juniors at Oak Park. Lichfield City travelled to the outskirts of Hereford and came from Wellington with a 5-2 victory with doubles for Josh Haston and Dan Griffiths. St Andrews made it 8 wins in succession as they beat Retford 3-0 at Canal Street. Heanor Town and Kimberley Miners Welfare will need to do it again as they couldn’t be separated after extra-time, 2-2 the final score. It wasn’t all good news as a number of MFL teams bowed out to non MFL opposition. Bolehall Swifts were beaten 2-0 at Rene Road by Shifnal Town.
Premier Division
Boldmere St Michaels travelled to the Potteries to face North West Counties Hanley Town and it was the home side that prevailed winning 2-1. Littleton took the game with Kirby Muxloe to extra-time but it was the Step 5 United Counties team that progressed, winning 2-0. There were 4 penalties in the game between Pinxton and Premier Division Loughborough University, two for each side. Goals
in the 86th and 96th minutes gave Pinxton a 4-2 victory.
Heanor Town overcame Kimberley Miner’s Welfare in the replay, winning 2 goals to nil.
Premier Division
The match of the day between two of the league heavyweights, Alvechurch and Sporting Khalsa didn’t disappoint. Alvechurch were fast out of the traps and took a 2 goal inside 10 minutes with a double from Josh March. Khalsa pulled one back through Luke Shearer just before the break and were level on the hour with a David Meese effort. The visitors lost Craig Bannister to a red card but a draw is a result both would take. A 65th minute penalty from Dean Rathbone gave Coleshill Town all 3 points in a 2-1 win at Pack Meadow against AFC Wulfrunians.
A 4th minute goal from Demetri Brown gave AFC Wulfrunians all three points in their clash with
Shawbury United. The win moves Wulfs up to 15th place in the table.
Division 1
Nuneaton Griff and Heath Hayes fought out a goalless draw at The Pingles Stadium. Two goals from Will Gayton helped Pershore Town towards a 4-0 win over Studley moving them up to 16th in the table.
Division 2
Barnt Green Spartak are the new leaders of Division 2 following a 5-3 win over Leamington Hibernian. Benet Parchment was the star netting 4 times. Alvis Sporting Club are level on points with Barnt Green as they beat free-scoring Knowle 1-0, Thomas Maguire with the winner in the 82nd minute. It’s back to back wins for Bloxwich Town as a Ryan Wood goal gave them all three points against Earlswood Town. Continental Star are now bottom despite a 1-1 draw at Coton Green. The same can be said for second bottom Hampton who drew 2-2 with Smithswood Firs.
Division 3
Top of the table NKF Burbage made it seven wins out of seven as an own goal was enough to win at Northfield Town. Two wins on the bounce for Enville Athletic has seen them rise to 9th place. 16 year old Jake Brigdale scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot as they beat AFC Solihull at Hall Drive. A goal from Leon Blundell gave Alcester Town all three points at home to
Boldmere Sports & Social Falcons. There was a good win on the road for Barton United who beat Coventrians 4-2.
Polymac Packaging League Cup
Heather St Johns surprised Premier Division Shepshed Dynamo at the Dovecote as they went through 2-0 thanks to a Jake Healy double.
Les James Challenge Cup
There was no shock at The Vale Stadium as Division 2 Redditch Borough proved too string for Division 3 Castle Vale Town, winning the game 4-0.
Challenge Vase
There were 11 goals at the Beehive as Moors Academy beat Shipston Excelsior 8-3. Tyrese Shade and Montel Okoro scored twice for Moors while Chris Mills scored twice for Excelsior.
Other Cups
In the Worcestershire Junior Cup Droitwich Spa progressed through to the next round with a 5-0 win over Fairfield Villa. Also through in the same competition are Inkberrow after a close 3-2 win over Feckenham. Montpellier marked their debut in the competition with a 3-0 win over Upton Town. In the Coventry Evening Telegraph Cup, FC Stratford made progress winning 2-1 at Coventry Colliery.
Lye Town and Alvechurch made progress in the Worcestershire Senior Urn beating Pershore Town and Studley respectively. Andy Nicol scored 4 in Alvechurch’s 6-1 win while Lye were 3-0 winners.
Long Eaton United were knocked out of the Derbyshire Senior Cup losing 2-0 at home to South Normanton Athletic. Two goals from Nick Hawkins helped Leicester Road to a 5-1 victory over Coalville Town reserves in the Leicestershire Senior Cup. Bromsgrove Sporting beat Inkberrow 3-2 in the Smedley Crooke memorial Charity Cup. Highgate United eased past Littleton in the Worcestershire Senior Urn, winning 2-1 at 5Acres.
Reserves
CHALLENGE TROPHY ROUND 1
Group "A"
LICHFIELD CITY 2 v 2 WALSALL WOOD
Group "B"
CADBURY ATHLETIC 4 v 0 COTON GREEN
TIPTON TOWN 2 v 4 ROMULUS
RESERVE DIVISION
CONTINENTAL STAR 1 v 1 BROCTON
Under 21
CHALLENGE BOWL ROUND 1
Group "A"
GORNAL ATHLETIC 0 v 2 KETTERING TOWN 10.30
HIGHGATE UNITED 2 v 2 COVENTRY UNITED 10.30
SUTTON COLDFIELD TOWN 0 v 3 ALVECHURCH 10.30
Group "C"
AFC RUSHDEN & DIAMONDS v H O W ACADEMY 10.30
UNDER 21 DIVISION NORTH
COLESHILL TOWN 0 v 2 BROCTON 10.30
LEEK TOWN 2 v 4 AYLESTONE PARK 11.30
UNDER 21 DIVISION SOUTH
BROMSGROVE SPORTING 1 v 2 BEDWORTH UNITED 10.30
Leading Goalscorers (all competitions)
Premier Division
Kieran Debrouwer Heanor Town 14
Andrew Bridge Loughborough University 12
Jamie Molyneux Westfields 12
Dan Polan Westfields 10
Josh March Alvechurch 10
Division 1
Alex Naughton Atherstone Town 18
Ryan Seal Hinckley AFC 12
Matthew Stenson Leicester Road 12
Luke Lewis Uttoxeter Town 9
Division 2
Thomas Craine Knowle 16
Joseph Wright Leamington Hibernian 10
Daniel Carter Paget Rangers 8
Division 3
Lee Hendrie Montpellier 7
Lewis Fathers Shipston Excelsior 6
Tom Smith NKF Burbage 6
Montel Okoro Moors Academy 6
Preview
FA Cup
Westfields welcome Ryman Division one South Walton casuals to Allpay Park with a realistic progress to the 4th qualifying round. Westfields have been in phenomenal goalscoring form and face a side who themselves have been scoring a lot of goals. With Hereford facing a long journey to Kent in the FA Cup, the attendance could well be swelled with local football fans cheering Fields on.
Premier Division
Game of the day in the Premier Division sees two in form sides go head to head. Sporting Khalsa have moved up to 5th place after a slow start to the season and they welcome St Andrews to the Aspray Arena, with the visitors having won 8 games on the trot in all competitions. The top of the table, below leaders Westfields is very congested and two leading sides meet at Farley Way with
Quorn hosting Alvechurch. 3rd placed Lye Town travel to 9th placed Shepshed Dynamo with only 3 points separating the sides. 4th placed Walsall Wood travel to Hillsfield to face a Rocester side sitting in the bottom four. Bottom side Tividale are still searching for their first win of the season and they welcome Stourport Swifts to The Beeches. 2nd bottom Brocton travel to Sphinx Drive to tackle Coventry United who are a couple of games behind everyone else. Highgate United are a picture of inconsistency this season and they welcome AFC Wulfrunians, who sit two places above them, to The Coppice. Coleshill Town are in 7th place and could go 2nd with a win at Long Eaton United.
Heanor Town welcome Boldmere St Michaels to The Town Ground after picking up 8 points in their last 4 league games. Coventry Sphinx have had a serious mixed bag of results this season and they make the long journey to Wem to face Shawbury United who remain in the bottom three after defeat in midweek..
Division 1
League leaders Lichfield City welcome Littleton to the McDonalds Community Stadium looking to maintain their lead at the top of the table. 2nd placed Nuneaton Griff travel to Racing Club Warwick a couple of weeks after being beaten 7-3 by the same side at home. Bromsgrove Sporting get back to league action with a trip to mid table Pelsall Villa. Atherstone Town have made an excellent start to the season and they will want to put their FA Vase disappoint behind them as they entertain Heather St Johns. Two sides that progressed in the Vase meet at Pack Meadow with Chelmsley Town hosting Coventry Copsewood. A game that promises goals takes place at St Johns Park with Hinckley AFC welcoming Bolehall Swifts. It’s a big day at Evans Park as Stafford Town welcome Pershore Town for the first game on their new 3g pitch. Leicester Road have been in good goal scoring form of late while Studley have been conceding goals. Will the hosts upset the form book at The Beehive? Southam United are finding it a struggle this season and they welcome Heath Hayes hoping to gain their first win of the season. Two sides through to the 1st round of the FA Vase meet at The Triplex with 10th place Cadbury Athletic hosting 14th place Uttoxeter Town.
Division 2
FA Vase heroes Paget Rangers could go joint top of the table if they can pick up all three points at Earlswood Town. The bottom two sides meet at Hampton Sports Club with Hampton entertaining Continental Star. 7th meets 6th at Hollyfield Road as Sutton United play host to Redditch Borough.
Division 3
Leaders NKF Burbage take their 100% to Hall Drive as they face Enville Athletic who have moved off the bottom with back to back victories. 2nd placed Montpellier travel to FC Stratford looking to get back to winning ways in the league. 3rd placed Moors Academy scored 8 in the Challenge Vase last week and they take this goalscoring form into a trip to Boldmere Sports & Social Falcons. Alcester Town have moved into fourth place and they travel to second bottom Inkberrow. Bottom side AFC Solihull are yet to pick up a point and they face a difficult trip to Barton United. Northfield Town were narrowly beaten by the league leaders last week and they can consolidate their position near the top of the table with a win at Coventrians. Castle Vale Town had a good win in their last league game and they will hope to build on this against 6th placed Shipston Excelsior at The Vale Stadium.
Les James Challenge Cup
Fairfield Villa welcome Alvis Sporting Club to the Recreation ground with a place in the quarter final up for grabs.
Presidents Cup
Division 2 leaders Barnt Green Spartak travel to Bloxwich Town with the home side winning their last two games. Droitwich Spa travel to The Entaco to face Feckenham with the Millers featuring in a number of high scoring games this season. Another tie which could see a goal rush takes place at Knowle with Smithswood Firs the visitors. Coton Green have been the draw specialists this season and they welcome Leamington Hibernian to New Mill Lane.
Reserves
RESERVE DIVISION
CADBURY ATHLETIC v ROCESTER
ROMULUS v COTON GREEN
Under 21s
CHALLENGE BOWL ROUND 1
Group "A"
AYLESTONE PARK v ALVECHURCH 12.30
Group "B"
KINGS HEATH CONCORDE v BEDWORTH UNITED 10.30
Group "C"
COLESHILL TOWN v AFC RUSHDEN & DIAMONDS 10.30
H O W ACADEMY v BROMSGROVE SPORTING 10.30
UNDER 21 DIVISION NORTH
SUTTON COLDFIELD TOWN v WEST MIDLANDS ACADEMY 10.30
UNDER 21 DIVISION SOUTH
DROITWICH SPA G & B v HIGHGATE UNITED 10.30
STAFFORDSHIRE CHALLENGE CUP ROUND 1
MAYFIELD ADULT v BROCTON RES.
BROCTON u21 v MILTON UNITED 2nd
HEATH HAYES u21 v KEELE UNIVERSITY RES.
CASTLECROFT RANGERS v LEEK TOWN u21
RED STAR ALMA v LICHFIELD CITY RES,
STONE OLD ALLEYNIANS RES. v WALSALL WOOD RES.
BIRMINGHAM SATURDAY AMATEUR CUP ROUND 1
CONTINENTAL STAR RES. v WAKE GREEN AMATEURS 2nd
BURTON COOPERS ATHLETIC v COVENTRY UNITED u21
GORNAL ATHLETIC u21 v HALL GREEN UNITED
TAMWORTH U21 v SPORTING SANDWELL
TIPTON TOWN RES. v BERMUDA PHOENIX
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE LOWER JUNIOR CUP ROUND 1
AFC HOUGHTON MAGNA v KETTERING TOWN u21 2.00