Stourport Swifts League position: 5th FA Vase: Fourth round proper MFL League cup: Second round FA cup: Extra preliminary round Stourport have been excellent in the premier division so far and are challenging for the play offs going into the second half of the season. The Swifts are currently one point ahead of AFC Wulfrunians in 6th and have three games in hand over them. Reaching the play offs would be a brilliant achievement but it’s been a successful season regardless of if they get in the top five. Their main strength has been their home form at Walshes Meadow where their currently unbeaten from eight matches with six wins and two draws. Another positive has been how tough they have been to beat with only three losses over the course of 18 matches. It’s a squad full of quality and their main striker Benjamin Tilbury has 10 goals in all competitions. One notable area for improvement is their form on the road. It’s not too bad with just three losses but includes five draws from ten matches. If they could get a few more results away from home, they could be dark horses for a top three finish. They have been on an eye-catching run in the FA Vase, knocking out a range of quality teams such as Sherwood Colliery from the United Counties League and AFC Wulfrunians. The Swifts have a tough match at home against Ashby Ivanhoe on the 13th of January which is a chance to reach the fifth round in February. It’s shaping up to be exciting second half of the season for Stourport supporters and the team is competing well in both the league and FA Vase. Upcoming fixtures: 6/1/2024: Uttoxeter Town (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 9/1/2024: Darlaston Town (Home) (Premier Division) (7:45pm KO) 13/1/2024: Ashby Ivanhoe (Home) (FA Vase) (3pm KO) 20/1/2024: Atherstone Town (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 27/1/2024: Stone Old Alleynians (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 30/1/2024: Tividale (Home) (Premier Division) (7:45pm KO) Studley League position: 2nd FA Vase: First qualifying round MFL League cup: First round FA cup: Preliminary round Studley have been good in the premier division and are challenging for the play offs between now and the end of April. With a seven-point gap to make up over Congleton Town in 1st, the league title is a stretch, but the play offs are a realistic aim for the Bees. If they do manage to make the play offs it will also be interesting to see if they can finish in the top three and set up a home semi-final match. Their main strength has been their home form at the Studley Sports Centre with eight wins from 12 matches and 30 goals scored. They got some big results at home throughout the festive period and notably beat both Darlaston Town and Highgate United to get their season back on track following a tough run of form in November. Their main issue has been their away form with just three wins from nine matches. It’s been a mixed bag on the road for Studley so far and includes three draws. The main goal is to reach the play offs. Their early exits from the cup competitions might help them achieve this come April as they can prioritise the league more than the teams around them. Upcoming fixtures: 6/1/24: Whitchurch Alport (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 20/1/24: Congleton Town (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 3/2/24: Shifnal Town (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 10/2/24: Wolverhampton Casuals (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 17/2/24: Romulus (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 24/2/24: Stourport Swifts (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) Tividale League position: 16th FA Vase: Third round proper MFL League cup: Quarter Finals FA cup: Extra Preliminary round It’s been a challenging season for Tividale where the club has struggled to build some momentum in the league. Their currently involved in a relegation battle to stay up and have a crucial run of games over the next month. There’s been a lot of postponements and good cup runs for Tividale which has caused a fixture backlog going into the second half of the season. None the less, their a point above Dudley Town in 16th and have a game in hand over the Robins. They need to produce a run of form as that second relegation spot could be one of four teams from Northwich in 14th to Dudley in 17th. Their main issue has been on the road with just one win in nine matches and 26 goals conceded. If they could tighten up at the back and play either a counter attacking or more pragmatic brand of football away, they could climb up the table. Being better defensively will also be important towards their goal difference which could be pivotal at the end of the season. One of the positives has been their run in the FA Vase and the MFL League cup which should give the squad confidence for the relegation battle. There’s quality in the squad with Ryan Snape impressing from attacking midfield and scoring eight goals in all competitions this season. It’s going to be an interesting rest of the season for Tividale in both the cup competitions and the league. Upcoming fixtures: 6/1/24: Darlaston Town (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 9/1/24: Lye Town (Home) (Birmingham Senior Challenge cup) (7:45pm KO) 13/1/24: Highgate United (Home) (MFL League cup) (3pm KO) 16/1/24: Whitchurch Alport (Home) (Premier Division) (7:45pm KO) 20/1/24: Uttoxeter Town (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 27/1/24: Dudley Town (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) Uttoxeter Town League position: 7th FA Vase: First qualifying round MFL League cup: First round FA cup: Extra preliminary round Uttoxeter have been brilliant in the premier division and have been one of the surprise teams in the league this season. The Staffordshire side struggled for large parts of last season and were involved in a relegation battle to stay at step five. They ultimately got a reprieve with Winsford United taking a voluntary relegation to NWCL Division One South. Since then they have taken the chance of step five football brilliantly and emerged as a surprise play-off contender. Their currently three points off the play offs and have a positive goal difference. Their main strength has been at home at the Oldfield Sports Ground where they have lost just once in nine matches with four wins and four draws. Their defensive record at home has also been eye catching with just 12 goals conceded which has helped the club climb up the table. Their away form has been a mixed bag and includes four wins and six losses from ten matches. It includes beating Shifnal Town and losing to Tividale and Lichfield, so it’s been a bit hit and miss. It’s a shame they did not have a good run in one of the cup competitions in either the FA Vase or the MFL league cup. None the less, it’s gives them a good opportunity to prioritise the league and build a run of form to challenge for the top five. Mikey Conlon has been playing well from midfield and has that quality on the ball to create chances for Uttoxeter. He has 9 goals in all competitions so far this season. From a Uttoxeter perspective, it’s better looking up the table rather than the teams below them. Their well clear of relegation and are looking forward to an enjoyable second half of the season where their competing for the play offs. Upcoming fixtures: 6/1/24: Stourport Swifts (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 13/1/24: Darlaston Town (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 20/1/24: Tividale (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 3/2/24: AFC Wulfrunians (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 6/2/24: Atherstone Town (Home) (Premier Division) (7:45pm KO) 10/2/24: Congleton Town (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) Whitchurch Alport League position: 13th FA Vase: Fourth round proper MFL League cup: Third round FA cup: Preliminary round Whitchurch have mainly struggled in the premier division and are in lower mid table going into the second half of the season. It feels like a transitional season with Adam Shillcock coming in as their new manager in season and gradually turning the fortunes of the Shropshire club around. There’s still work to do with the main priority to avoid relegation but there in a better place than they were a few months ago. Their main strength has been at Yockings Park where they have lost just two out of eight matches. Three wins and three draws from their home matches have stopped Whitchurch being dragged into a relegation battle near the bottom of the division but their only six points better off than Dudley Town in 17th so it’s not out of the question. The key issue has been away from home with two wins from eight matches. It’s been hit and miss so far on the road in the league with six losses away from home. Another issue has been in the final third with only 21 goals scored across 16 matches which is one of the lowest in the division. Their notable run in the FA Vase should give the squad confidence going into the new year and help them climb up the table. It’s been one of the stories of the season with eye catching wins against Biggleswade United and Worcester Raiders setting up a home tie against Great Wakering Rovers on the 13th of January. A mid table finish would be a successful season for Whitchurch with further success in the FA Vase a bonus. Upcoming fixtures: 6/1/24: Studley (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 9/1/24: Congleton Town (Home) (MFL League cup) (7:45pm KO) 13/1/24: Great Wakering Rovers (Home) (FA Vase) (3pm KO) 16/1/24: Tividale (Away) (Premier Division) (7:45pm KO) 20/1/24: Romulus (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 27/1/24: Bewdley Town (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) Wolverhampton Casuals League position: 15th FA Vase: Second round proper MFL League cup: Second round FA cup: Extra Preliminary round Wolverhampton Casuals have been ok in the premier division and are going into the new year in a good position in their quest to stay in the league. The Cassies are five points better off than Dudley Town in 17th with the same number of games played and have a crucial run of fixtures over the next month to get some points to climb into mid table. Their main strength has been away from home where they have managed to pick up 11 points from nine matches which has put them above the relegation zone. Their home form at the Brinsford stadium has been more challenging with one win from eight matches. They also had a tough festive period where they lost to relegation rivals Tividale and Dudley which has dragged them back into the fight to stay up. They should look back on their good run in the FA Vase where they reached the second round before bowing out to Worcester City and use it as a source of confidence for the league matches ahead. It’s going to be a big month for the club as they play Northwich Victoria twice and are also up against struggling Bewdley Town. The loss of Tom Cottam to Darlaston Town is a big blow and the club will need to find a reliable goal scorer from January to April to achieve safety. Benni Wilson has played well for the Cassies and has six goals in all competitions this season. The main goal will be staying up and if Wolverhampton Casuals can achieve this it will be a successful season. Upcoming fixtures: 6/1/24: Northwich Victoria (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 13/1/24: Congleton Town (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 20/1/24: AFC Wulfrunians (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 27/1/24: Northwich Victoria (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 3/2/24: Bewdley Town (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 10/2/24: Studley (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) Review feature written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League Highgate United League position: 4th FA Vase: Third round proper MFL League cup: Quarter Finals FA cup: Extra preliminary round Highgate have been excellent in the premier division and are challenging for the play offs going into the second half of the season. The league title might be a stretch with a 9-point difference between them and Congleton in 1st with three games in hand over the Bears, but the play offs is a more realistic aim for the Gate. Their main strength has been their home form at the Coppice with seven wins from ten matches which has seen them compete at the top of the table. Another positive has been their defence which is the best in the division with just 18 goals conceded and Shay Palmer playing excellently at the back. It’s shaping up to be an exciting second half of the season for Highgate supporters with the club well in the mix for promotion to step four. Their also capable of going far in the MFL League cup where there in the quarter finals and play Tividale away from home next Saturday. Upcoming fixtures: 6/1/2024: Dudley Town (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 9/1/2024: Bewdley Town (Away) (Premier Division) (7:45pm KO) 13/1/2024: Tividale (Away) (MFL League cup) (3pm KO) 20/1/2024: Darlaston Town (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 27/1/2024: Atherstone Town (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 30/1/2024: Whitchurch Alport (Away) (Premier Division) (7:45pm KO) Lichfield City League position: 3rd FA Vase: Fourth round proper MFL League cup: Third round FA cup: Extra preliminary round Lichfield have been brilliant in the premier division this season and have been one of the stories in step five. Similar to Highgate, the league title might be a stretch too far but their more than capable of a top five finish and are six points ahead of AFC Wulfrunians in 6th. Ivor Green is doing a brilliant job as manager and it’s going to be an interesting second half of the season. Their main strength has been their home form at the Trade Tyre Community Stadium where they are unbeaten from ten matches and have won seven of those. Another positive has been how tough they have been to beat with only two losses across 18 league matches. Daniel Smith has been brilliant up front and is one of the leading scorers in the division with 22 goals in all competitions. They also have one of the best defences in the league with 20 goals conceded. They have a huge match in the FA Vase against Worcester City on the 13th of January and it’s going to be an exciting second half of the season for Lichfield supporters. Upcoming fixtures: 6/1/2024: AFC Wulfrunians (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 10/1/2024: Wednesfield (Away) (JW Hunt cup) (7:45pm KO) 13/1/2024: Worcester City (Away) (FA Vase) (3pm KO) 16/1/2024: Atherstone Town (Away) (MFL League cup) (7:45pm KO) 20/1/2024: Bewdley Town (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 22/1/2024: Romulus (Away) (Premier Division) (7:45pm KO) Northwich Victoria League position: 14th FA Vase: First round proper MFL League cup: First round FA cup: Extra preliminary round Northwich have been ok since transferring from the NWCL over the summer and have adapted relatively well to the premier division. The Vics are in lower mid table and have a five-point gap over Dudley Town in 17th. Their main strength has been at home where they have played at both Witton Albion and Winsford United this season with four wins and two draws from eight matches. Their away form has been a problem as their yet to win on the road from eight matches which has stopped them climbing up the table. Goal scoring has also been an issue for the Vics with 22 goals scored over 16 league matches which is one of the lowest in the league. None the less, Samual Connor Unwin has stepped up in the final third and has 9 goals in all competitions. The main goal for Northwich will be to finish comfortably in mid table come the end of the season. Upcoming fixtures: 6/1/2024: Wolverhampton Casuals (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 9/1/2024: 1874 Northwich (Away) (Mid Cheshire Senior cup) (7:45pm KO) 13/1/2024: AFC Wulfrunians (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 20/1/24: Shifnal Town (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 27/1/24: Wolverhampton Casuals (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 30/1/24: Dudley Town (Home) (Premier Division) (8pm KO) Romulus League position: 11th FA Vase: First round proper MFL League cup: Third round FA cup: Extra preliminary round Romulus have been ok in the premier division, and it’s been a transitional season so far. Jason Lanns left over the summer, and they brought in Neil Tooth as their new manager. Their comfortably in mid table going into the second half of the season. Their well clear of any relegation worries with a 10-point gap from Dudley Town in 17th but have a 9-point gap to reach the play offs. At this stage, a top half finish would be good from the Roms and getting in the play offs would be excellent. Their main strength has been their home form at Castle Vale Stadium with four wins and one draw from eight matches. There’s quality in the squad with the likes of Cameron Lee and Dean Morris playing well at the back. It might take a bit of time before Neil Tooth can build a squad to challenge the teams at the top of the league. The likes of Congleton, Lichfield and Highgate have been building at step five for a few seasons with the same management set up in place. Patience may be required before things start to click and they get a run of form going to challenge for the top five. It’s going to be an interesting few months ahead at Romulus to see where the club is at come April. Upcoming fixtures: 6/1/24: Shifnal Town (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 13/1/24: Stone Old Alleynians (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 16/1/24: Stapenhill (Away) (MFL League cup) (7:45pm KO) 20/1/24: Whitchurch Alport (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 22/1/24: Lichfield City (Home) (Premier Division) (7:45pm KO) 3/2/24: Stourport Swifts (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) Shifnal Town League position: 9th FA Vase: Second qualifying round MFL League cup: Quarter Finals FA cup: First qualifying round Shifnal have been ok in the premier division and are comfortably in mid table going into the second half of the season. Their well clear of any relegation worries with a 11-point gap over Dudley Town in 17th but have a bit of ground to make up for the play offs with an eight-point gap between them and Stourport in 5th. Their main strength has been at home with four wins and a draw from nine matches which has pushed them into a comfortable mid table position. Another positive has been the goalscoring form of Joe Ellis Cuff who has been excellent since joining from Shawbury United and has 15 goals in all competitions. Their main issue has been their away form with just three wins from nine matches which has stopped them going higher up the table. The situation is similar to Romulus, and it might take some time before Connor Patterson can build a squad that can challenge for step four. At some stage over the next few months there might be one eye on building for next season. They are an interesting club to follow over the next few months to see where they’re going. Upcoming fixtures: 6/1/24: Romulus (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 9/1/24: Gornal Athletic (Away) (JW Hunt cup) (7:45pm KO) 13/1/24: Atherstone Town (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 20/1/24: Northwich Victoria (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 27/1/24: Lichfield City (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 30/1/24: Stone Old Alleynians (Home) (Premier Division) (7:45pm KO) Stone Old Alleynians League position: 12th FA Vase: Second round proper MFL League cup: Second round FA cup: Extra preliminary round Stone Old Alleynians have been brilliant in the premier division and are well clear of any relegation concerns. Staying in the league is the main aim for the Stoke club in a tough division so to have an eight-point gap over Dudley Town in 17th is testament to how well the squad has played over 17 matches. They can go a bit under the radar at step five, but they have been playing well. The key strength has been how tough they have been to beat with only five losses so far and they notably went on a good run in the FA Vase before bowing out to Boston Town on penalties. Their form at Kings Park has been good with just three losses from ten matches. On the road they have been challenging to break down with just 9 goals conceded from seven matches. They notably beat Studley away from home back in November which was an excellent team display to shut the Bees down. Overall, staying in the division is the priority but the squad could be dark horses for a top half finish if they can build some momentum. Upcoming fixtures: 6/1/24: Congleton Town (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 13/1/24: Romulus (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 20/1/24: Dudley Town (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 27/1/24: Stourport Swifts (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 30/1/24: Shifnal Town (Away) (Premier Division) (7:45pm KO) 3/2/24: Darlaston Town (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) Review feature written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League |
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March 2024
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