​OJM were looking to continue their excellent run of form with a result against Paget Rangers at the Trevor Brown Memorial Ground yesterday evening. The hosts were going for their fourth consecutive win and were one of the form teams going into it with 12 points from their last five matches.

With the match kicking off at 6pm, it was huge for OJM as they could go to within two points of the play offs with a win.

Paget Rangers were looking to cause an upset yesterday against an in-form OJM to boost their safety hopes and steer further clear of AFC Bridgnorth and Smethwick Rangers in the bottom two. The Bears were sitting in 18th going into yesterday’s match and a point better off than AFC Bridgnorth who lost to Coventry Copsewood earlier in the day.

The main aim for the visitors is to finish in 18th to have a chance of a reprieve at the end of the season. It’s a close contest between the bottom three for that 18th spot and it could potentially go to the final day of the season.  

The atmosphere around Boldmere St Michaels was reflective and welcoming yesterday and it’s an excellent set up for step six football. The main positive is the view it offers of the pitch, and supporters are close to the action from the Harry Peakman stand. It’s well worth a visit for casual groundhoppers across the West Midlands and is just a 14-minute walk from Wylde Green train station. 

Starting Line Ups

The starting line up for OJM featured Tom Clapp starting in goal and Zaqib Hussain leading the line up front. The formation appeared to be a 4-3-3 with Zaqib Hussain being supported by Kosheen Sappelton and Kofi Williams on the wings.

There were four changes from the team that started against Paget Rangers a couple of weeks ago with Blake Kindred coming into the team and playing in holding midfield.

Paget Rangers’ starting line-up included Reece Johnston starting in goal and Dion Calder leading the line up front. The formation looked like a 4-2-3-1 with Dion Calder being supported by Amari Clarke and Dejon Miles on the wings.

There were nine changes from the team that started against Nuneaton Griff last weekend with Dominic Ellington coming back into the team and playing in central defence alongside Jordan Ambris. 

First Half

OJM got off to a brilliant start and took the lead early on to settle into the match. A well worked passing move down the left was played into the box and Kosheen Sappelton was on hand to put the ball into the net.  It was a bit of quality in the final third from OJM and showed their quality on the ball in the opening stages of the match.  

The main pattern of play in the first half was OJM playing a possession-based style and looking to work the ball into the box. Paget were set up to invite OJM on to them so they could get them on the counterattack and cause problems at the back. To the visitor’s credit there was not many chances in the opening half an hour, and they did well to contain the attacking threat of OJM.

​It was not quite clicking up front for Paget and they struggled to build any momentum in front of goal throughout the first half. OJM had a lot of the ball and were looking to break down the Paget backline for large parts of it. This probably prevented the visitors from building some rhythm in the final third.

Paget were dealing with the OJM pressure well in the first half with Dominic Ellington playing well and making some big clearances to keep the visitors in the match. Harry Parker also did a good job off the ball and was reading the game well alongside breaking up the play from holding midfield.    

The OJM pressure eventually paid off for the hosts and resulted in a second goal near the end of the first half. An excellent ball into the box found Zaqib Hussain at the back post who finished well into the bottom right corner to make it 2-0. It was a quality finish from a player who was prolific in division one last season with 32 goals.

The hosts managed to find a third goal at the end of the first half to effectively settle the match before half time. It was similar to the first goal and came down the left-hand side where Louis Conway worked the ball to the byline before squaring to Kofi Williams who finished well to make it 3-0.

Second Half

The second half continued the pattern of the first half with OJM having most of the ball and looking to break down the Bears defence. The hosts had a greater degree of control over the match in the second half which was the main difference from the first half.

A well weighted pass from Blake Kindred found substitute Taylor Homer whose shot was well saved by Reece Johnston in the Paget goal. Fellow OJM substitute Eshan Greer made a brilliant run off the shoulder to go through one on one with the goalkeeper before finishing well to make it 4-0 in the middle of the second half.

The visitors had a few half chances in the second half to reduce the deficit with the best chance falling to Ryan Butler who had a header saved from a free kick into the box.

As the match became more stretched, OJM took advantage of this and managed to find the space to cause the visitors problems at the back. Taylor Homer was excellent down the right in the second half and accelerated with the ball before rounding the keeper and producing a composed finish to make it 5-0. He’s got that turn of pace and offers OJM something different going forward.

Despite a lot of quality coming from OJM yesterday, Paget showed flashes of quality when they had the ball with substitute Alex Mane impressing off the bench and linking up the play well to try and build attacks for the visitors. 

OJM managed to get a sixth goal near the end of the match with substitute Kyle Moseley accelerating into the box and beating his man before finishing into the right corner.

Not long after the referee blew for the full-time whistle with it finishing 6-0 to OJM.

Full Time

It was a team performance from OJM yesterday which was the most pleasing thing about the play off chasers with every player stepping up and having a good game. The result should give them a lot of confidence for the matches ahead and set up an exciting end to the season for the supporters.

Alongside the attacking quality in the final third, the defence and the midfield really stood out in this match and showed why OJM are competing near the top of the table. Callum Nimmo and Stefan Cameron were excellent at the back and managed to deal with the Paget pressure well, especially in the first half.

Blake Kindred had an underrated game from holding midfield and offered OJM that composure on the ball to help them build attacks. He played some excellent defence splitting passes to set up attacks in the second half. Liam Spink was also reliably good in midfield and linked up the play effectively between the defence and the midfield.

Paget showed plenty of effort and endeavour yesterday against a good side. There were some positives in terms of players standing out and having good matches. None the less, this is probably one to forget for the Bears with the matches coming up being key for their safety hopes.       

FT score: OJM Black Country 6-0 Paget Rangers

Man of the match: Blake Kindred (OJM Black Country)

Match report written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League                   

​Bilston Town V Droitwich Spa

Bilston Town will be looking for a result against Droitwich Spa to boost their play off chances. The Steelmen have an outside chance of making the play offs and are currently seven points off the top five. 

They will be disappointed with last weekend’s 3-3 draw against play off rival Wednesfield and will be looking to respond with a statement win against Droitwich Spa. There on a decent run of form with 10 points from their last five matches.

There’s a lot of quality for the Steelmen up front with Sam Yankson and Eesa Sawyers impressing and helping them challenge for the play offs.

Droitwich will be looking to respond to the 3-2 mid-week loss against Wednesfield with a result to cement their position in the play offs. The Salt Men are currently a point better off than Heather St John’s in 6th and will be looking to seal a top five finish. Their away form has not been too bad with seven wins and four draws from 16 matches.

There’s quality in the squad with Charlie Tilley impressing up front and being one of their main attacking threats.   

Coton Green V Allscott Heath

Coton Green will be looking to cause an upset against Allscott Heath tomorrow afternoon. It’s a busy weekend for the Green Army who have three games in four days starting with the Fazeley Charity Cup final this afternoon against Paget Rangers. There’s been notable progress under manager Nic Oakley and there on a good run of form with 10 points from their last five matches.

The hosts are in no real danger of relegation and are comfortably in mid table for the final few weeks of the season. It’s all about building for Coton Green and setting themselves up to challenge next season at step six. 

Allscott Heath will be looking to continue their excellent form tomorrow afternoon to boost their chances of a top three finish. The Shropshire side have been a brilliant addition to the MFL since being promoted from the West Midlands Regional League and are up there at the top of the table.

A top three finish feels achievable and would set up a home semi final match in the play offs.

The visitors have been one of the most consistent sides in the division with only seven losses from 31 matches. It’s been an excellent month for Allscott with 13 points from their last five matches.  

Coventry Copsewood V AFC Bridgnorth

Coventry Copsewood will be looking for a result against relegation strugglers AFC Bridgnorth tomorrow to have an outside chance of a top half finish. It’s been a solid season for the hosts in division one and there comfortably in mid table. They have picked up some eye-catching results over the last month such as beating OJM and Allscott Heath.

There’s quality in the team with Sean Kavanagh playing well up front and making things happen in the final third. He has 15 goals in all competitions and is one of their main attacking threats.

Despite it being a challenging season for AFC Bridgnorth, there’s still hope in avoiding relegation to step seven. If they could finish in 18th with a high enough points tally they could have a chance of a reprieve and there only a point off Paget Rangers.

They will be looking to build on the positives of the 2-2 draw against Smethwick Rangers last weekend and get a result against a good Coventry Copsewood side tomorrow afternoon.

Cradley Town V Wolverhampton Sporting Community

Cradley will be looking for a result tomorrow to get their play off push back on track. It’s been an excellent season for the Hammers in division one and they have an outside chance of finishing in the top five. There’s currently a five-point gap between them and Wednesfield in 5th with seven matches to go and a good run of form will give them a chance of the play offs.

Their home form at Beeches View Avenue has been one of their main strengths with eight wins and two draws from fifteen matches. They will be looking to respond to the mid-week loss at Heather St John’s and get a result against Wolves Sporting.

Wolves Sporting have a bit of breathing space over the bottom three with a six-point gap over Paget Rangers in 18th and have eight matches remaining. If they can get a few results at Pride Park alongside a few draws away from home, they should be capable of safety over the next few weeks.

The visitors will be looking to respond to the mid-week loss against league leaders Hinckley AFC with a result against Cradley Town. They have struggled away from home but are capable of causing a few upsets such as when they beat Coventry Copsewood in late January.   

Hinckley AFC V Nuneaton Griff

Hinckley are in a brilliant position to seal the league with a few matches to go and will be looking to get it wrapped up over the next few weeks. They have a 11-point gap over Ingles in 2nd with six matches to go. Consistency has been their main strength in division one with just four losses from 32 matches which has seen them go top of the league.

They have been reliable at home with eleven wins and three draws from 17 matches. They also have one of the best defences in the league with just 39 goals conceded which is excellent.

There’s quality in the squad with Lewis Rankin and Tom Weale playing well and standing out this season.

Nuneaton Griff are comfortably in mid table and are building for next season in step six. The visitors are in no real danger of relegation and can use the remaining matches as a way of preparing for the future. They have not been too bad away from home with only five losses from 16 matches and have been tough to break down with only 29 goals conceded.

They have gone a bit under the radar in division one but are having a solid season and can be a tough team to play on their day.

Shawbury United V Smethwick Rangers

Shawbury will be looking to respond to the loss against Coton Green last weekend with a convincing home win against relegation strugglers Smethwick Rangers. It’s mostly been a positive season for the Shropshire side who are in the top half of the table with six matches to go.

They have been tough to beat at home with just five losses from fifteen matches.

There’s quality throughout the squad with Marcus Dillon impressing on the wing and Emmanuel Williams playing well at the back. It’s been encouraging from Shawbury, and it will be interesting to see how they get on next season.

There’s a glimmer of hope for Smethwick Rangers in what’s been a challenging season. Despite the visitors being in the bottom three, if they can get a few wins and build on the 2-2 draw with AFC Bridgnorth last weekend they have an outside chance of finishing in 18th and a potential reprieve.

There currently three points off Paget Rangers in 18th with five matches to go.      

Stapenhill V Ingles

Stapenhill will be looking to build on the 2-2 draw against play off chasing Cradley Town with a statement result against Ingles tomorrow afternoon. The Swans have been good at Maple Grove throughout the season with seven wins and five draws from fourteen matches.

There comfortably in mid table and looking to build for next season at step six.

Ingles will be looking for a result to cement their position in the top three which would put them in a strong position for the play offs. It’s been an excellent season in division one from the Leicester side who have been challenging near the top of the table since the turn of the new year.   

Consistency and their defensive record have been their main strengths with only eight losses from 33 matches and just 43 goals conceded. It’s a team effort from the visitors who are well organised off the ball and look to make things happen from set pieces.

Jack Allen has impressed as an attacking threat for the visitors with 17 goals in all competitions.

Sutton United V Chelmsley Town

Sutton United will be looking for a result against Chelmsley Town tomorrow to have a chance of a top half finish in their debut season at step six. The hosts have competed well in division one since being promoted from division two last season and have looked comfortable at this level against a range of quality teams.

They have been solid at Coleshill Road with six wins and four draws from sixteen matches.

Joe Gildea has built on his excellent goal scoring form from last season in step seven and has 27 goals in all competitions.

It’s been another solid season at step six for Chelmsley Town who have a bit of breathing space over the bottom three. They have a 12-point gap over Paget Rangers in 18th and will be looking to see the campaign out with a few more wins to build for next season.

Their away form has been their main problem with seven points from 14 matches.

None the less, there’s positives for the visitors and the 2-2 home draw against Ingles stands out over the last month.  

Wednesfield V Heather St John’s

Wednesfield will be looking to build on their brilliant home win against Droitwich Spa with a result against play off rival Heather St John’s tomorrow afternoon. It’s been an excellent season for the hosts who are challenging for the play offs with eight matches remaining.

They have been brilliant at home with ten wins from sixteen matches to leave them in 5th and a point better off than Heather St John’s in 6th.

It’s a squad full of quality with Freddie Cockerell standing out up front with 22 goals in all competitions.

Heather has an outside chance of making the play offs with six matches remaining. The Saints are only a point off the top five and will have to rely on a few results going their way alongside going on a run of form over the next few weeks.

They have been ok away from home with six wins and three draws from sixteen matches.

Kyle Jardine has been excellent at this level and is the division’s top scorer with 43 goals in all competitions.  

OJM Black Country V Paget Rangers (Kick off, 6pm)

OJM will be looking to continue their excellent form against Paget Rangers at the Trevor Brown Memorial Ground on Saturday evening. The hosts are on a run of three consecutive wins and notably beat Ingles away from home in mid-week. There two points off the play offs with a few games in hand.

They have been consistent and tough to break down throughout the season which has aided their play off push. They have only lost six times from 28 matches and have the best defensive record in the league with just 30 goals conceded.

The hosts play a nice brand of attacking football and like to work the ball into the box.

Paget are in a good position to potentially avoid relegation if they can get a few results over the next few weeks. If the visitors can finish in 18th and have a decent points tally they might get a reprieve. 

Harry Jackson is one of their main attacking threats and has played well since rejoining the team a few months ago.

It’s mostly been a struggle away from home, but they have been better since the turn of the year with encouraging wins against Nuneaton Griff and Wolves Sporting.

It’s all about finishing above AFC Bridgnorth and Smethwick for the remainder of the campaign for Paget to have a chance of remaining in step six.     

Preview feature written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League