Stapenhill were looking to build on their 4-1 mid-week win against Chelmsley Town with a result against Lutterworth Athletic yesterday at Maple Grove. The Swans have got off to a positive start under manager Louis Briscoe and could be a dark horse to challenge for the play offs if everything clicks. They notably beat step five side Pershore Town in the FA Vase a few weeks back.  

Lutterworth Athletic are building in step six under new manager Ben Steane who was appointed over the summer. The Leicester side were comfortably in mid table going into yesterday and had encouraging home wins against Allexton and Paget Rangers in the league. On paper, they have a tough schedule coming up with away games against Kirby Muxloe and Heather St John’s over the next few weeks.

Maple Grove is a brilliant ground to visit in step six and has a lot to offer for supporters of non-league football. The clubhouse is inviting and well presented, and the facilities are good for the level. The programme on offer by the club was informative and included a recap of their away win against Paget Rangers alongside a history of Lutterworth Athletic.  

Supporters can get the number 2 bus from Burton New Street and get off at the Lime Grove stop. From there it’s a two-minute walk to the ground. It’s an accessible ground to visit by public transport and well worth a visit for supporters based in the Burton/Staffordshire area. The Freddie Sleigh stand offers supporters a good view of the pitch and it was a good atmosphere yesterday. 

​Starting line ups

The starting line up for Stapenhill included Paul Hollis starting in goal and captaining the team. The formation looked like a 5-3-2 with a front two of Oliver Roome and Ryan King being supported by Cameron Steele from attacking midfield. It was an attacking formation by manager Louis Briscoe with James Frost and Ashton Frost playing as wingbacks.

There were three changes from the team that started against Chelmsley Town in mid-week with Ryan King coming into the team and playing as one of the main strikers.

Lutterworth Athletic’s starting line up included Kieran Culley starting in goal and Josh Thompson captaining the team from holding midfield. The formation appeared to be a 4-3-3 with Merdi Mukaba playing up front and being supported by Vinny Glaznieks and Lewis Kouakou on the wings.

There were four changes from the team that started against Birstall United in mid-week with Alexandre Olen coming into the team and playing in a holding midfield role. 

First Half

Stapenhill got off to a bright start in the opening stages of the match and were taking the game to Lutterworth Athletic. The Swans were creating a lot of clear-cut chances inside the opening fifteen minutes, and it was clicking in the final third.

Cameron Steele had a brilliant effort instinctively saved by Keiran Culley in the Lutterworth goal who managed to tip it round the top right post in the 9th minute. Charlie Rumin also got into a good position before having his shot well saved by Keiran Culley to keep it goalless.

The best chance for the visitors came when Lewis Kouakou cut inside from the left-hand side before having a shot go wide of the right-hand post in the 21st minute. Lutterworth gradually grew into the match as the first half went on with the goalkeeping of Keiran Culley and the defending of Jenson Corbett at the back helping them settle into it.          

James Frost made an inspired run down the left-hand side for Stapenhill on the half hour mark before having a shot well saved by Kieran Culley to keep it at 0-0. A few minutes later Cameron Steele had an effort tipped round the post by the Lutterworth goalkeeper who was having a brilliant first half in goal and keeping the visitors in it.

The pressure from Stapenhill in the final third eventually told when Ashton Frost was fouled by Callum Pinto in the box for a penalty. Oliver Roome stepped up and took a composed penalty into the bottom right corner to make it 1-0. It was an accomplished finish from the current top scorer in division one who scored a hat-trick in the win over Chelmsley Town.  

The back three impressed for the hosts throughout the first half and helped them get a foothold in the match. Josh Watson was brilliant in central defence and read the game well to take the pressure off the Swans at the back.

Outside of the chance for Lewis Kouakou, Lutterworth did not create that many clear-cut chances in front of goal but were still in the match going into the second half.

Second Half

Lutterworth Athletic were brave on the ball throughout the second half and were committing players forward in search of the equaliser. They showed their quality on the ball and had a brilliant passing move that resulted in substitute Luke Jones shooting at Paul Hollis who managed to save it.

A well worked set piece saw them get level on the hour mark. They took a free kick from the right-hand side and played a low ball into the box that caused some confusion in the Stapenhill box. Jenson Corbett reacted well and got to the ball before finishing into the bottom left corner to make it 1-1. It looked like something they practiced in training and caught the hosts off guard.

Stapenhill reacted well to conceding the equaliser and showed character to build some momentum in front of goal. Substitute Connor Richins had a guilt edged chance to make it 2-1 when he was free in the box with just Kieran Culley to beat. He had a shot saved by the Lutterworth keeper to keep it at 1-1 with 25 minutes to go.

Lutterworth were pushing for the winner in the second half and had a good fifteen-minute spell in front of goal. Their best chance came when they were awarded a penalty for a foul in the box. Substitute Luke Jones stepped up and his effort was saved by Paul Hollis who read it well and went the right way.

The visitors were linking up well throughout the second half thanks to the passing of Josh Thompson and Alexandre Olen who both impressed yesterday.

Stapenhill managed to withstand the pressure from Lutterworth Athletic in the second half thanks to the defending of Josh Watson and Harry Landsdowne at the back and were pressing for a late winner.

Substitute Connor Richins was causing problems in the final third and getting into some encouraging positions around the box. He had a shot well saved by Kieran Culley who tipped it over the bar in the 84th minute.

The match looked like it was heading for a draw until a moment of quality decided it late on. Oliver Roome made a good run off the shoulder and got in front of the Lutterworth backline before getting a shot off that was rebounded. The ball fell to Connor Richins who produced a composed finish into the top right corner to make it 2-1.

Not long after the referee blew for the full-time whistle with Stapenhill getting a momentum building win in division one.

Full Time

Stapenhill were tested yesterday by Lutterworth Athletic but managed to come through to get the three points. The Swans kept going in the second half and produced when it mattered to get the win. The most encouraging thing was how players such as Paul Hollis and Josh Watson stepped up and helped the match not get away from them.

Lutterworth Athletic showed character yesterday and should be proud of their performance despite the result. They competed well against a good Stapenhill side and showed their quality on the ball in the second half. There’s players to build around for the visitors such as Kieran Culley and Jenson Corbett who impressed in this match.

Overall, both teams are building in MFL Division one under new managers and the future is looking bright with a lot of players stepping up yesterday and playing well.       

FT score: Stapenhill 2-1 Lutterworth Athletic

Man of the match: Josh Watson (Stapenhill)

Match report written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League 

​Smethwick were looking to continue their brilliant start in division one with a result against Coventry Copsewood yesterday. It’s been an eye-catching start for the hosts with six wins from nine matches prior to their match last night to leave them in 3rd. They had been excellent at the back so far with just six goals conceded from nine matches and notably drew 1-1 with Nuneaton Town on Saturday.

Coventry Copsewood were also looking to build on their encouraging start to the season. The visitors have been competitive in step six and were comfortably in mid table going into yesterday. Striker Sean Kavanagh was in form with five goals from nine matches so far. They notably beat Stapenhill 3-0 to start the season and can cause a few upsets in division one.

The atmosphere around the Boldmere community stadium was relaxed and welcoming prior to kick off. It’s been a busy opening month for both teams and yesterday was their tenth match in division one. The facilities around the ground are impressive for the level with a well-presented club house and bar available. It was a nice evening yesterday with clear skies despite showers during the day. 

​Starting line ups

The starting line up for Smethwick Rangers included Andreas Spanou starting in goal and Charlie Aston captaining the team from central defence. The formation looked like a 5-3-2 with a front two of Oliver Jeeves and Kamil Solecki being supported by Dylan Green from attacking midfield.

There were three changes from the team that started against Nuneaton Town at the weekend with Danny Wood coming into the team and playing in holding midfield alongside Chukwuxavier Nwobani-Akano.

Coventry Copsewood’s starting line up included Jack Hartopp starting in goal and Charlie Gordon captaining the team from holding midfield. The formation appeared to be a 4-2-3-1 with Sean Kavanagh leading the line up front and being supported by Harvey Wells and Hamza Siddique on the wings.

There were two changes from the team that started against Nuneaton Griff at the weekend with Faith Okundaye coming into the team and playing in central defence alongside Joe Anthony. 

​First Half

Smethwick got off to a brilliant start and took the lead inside the opening fifteen minutes. Oliver Jeeves made a brilliant run to the byline and squared it to Dylan Green who finished into the bottom right corner to make it 1-0.

It helped Smethwick settle into the match and they were looking to continue their six-match unbeaten run in the league.

There was an unfortunate injury to Joe Anthony in the build up to the goal and he came off for the visitors following the opening goal. Sam Hewitt came on and filled in admirably at the back throughout the rest of the match.

Coventry Copsewood grew into the game as the first half went on and were starting to build some momentum in front of goal. Harvey Wells had an effort from the right-hand side of the box that was saved by Andrea Spanou in the Smethwick goal.

Smethwick were well organised at the back and disciplined off the ball to limit the clear-cut chances for Coventry Copsewood throughout the first half. The visitors had a lot of the ball but were struggling to get it in dangerous areas which was down to Smethwick closing off the space and pressing high up the pitch.

Pierre Phillips was brilliant throughout the first half at the back. He was reading the game well and getting to a lot of inviting balls either in the box or down the channels from the visitors. Another player who impressed for Smethwick was Chukwuxavier Nwobani-Akano who was breaking up the play and linking up well from midfield.

It was a tight match with not that many chances in front of goal. The visitors showed character to get back into the match at 1-0 down and were threatening for an equaliser in the latter stages of the first half.

Following the early injury to Joe Anthony in the opening fifteen minutes Faith Okundaye stepped up at the back and did well by clearing dangerous balls into the box. He took the pressure off the visitors and gave them a foothold in the match.   

The best chance for Smethwick came when Jake Wilkes got forward from left-back and had a shot that was well saved by Jack Hartopp.

Harvey Wells had the visitor’s best chance of an equaliser when he had a strike well saved by Andrea Spandou a few minutes before half time.              

It was an intriguing match going into half time with a lot to play for in the second half

Second Half

Smethwick had an early chance at the start of the second half with Oliver Jeeves making a good run into the box before having a shot go over the bar.

Coventry Copsewood were applying the pressure on Smethwick in search of an equaliser and were given a penalty for a foul in the box. Danny Lole stepped up and his effort hit the right-hand post before rebounding to Charlie Gordon who anticipated it well and scored to make it 1-1.

It was not quite clicking in the final third for Smethwick in the second half. They were getting into some good positions in and around the box but missing that final ball to stretch the Coventry Copsewood defence.      

Faith Okundaye made a rare mistake at the back and a loose touch let in substitute Callum North who was through on goal. He took a shot from distance that was well saved by Jack Hartopp who managed to tip the ball round the post for a corner.

It was a tight game with not that many clear-cut chances and they were evenly matched yesterday. Smethwick and Coventry Copsewood were well organised off the ball and limited the space available in the final third. It felt like one goal would be enough to decide it late on.    

Charlie Gordon was having a good game for the visitors and linking up the play well. He offered them that composure to settle into the match in the first half and led them on from midfield in search of a winner.  

There was also a late chance for Smethwick to win it in injury time following a few threatening corners into the box. A well delivered corner found Pierre Phillips who had a header cleared off the line in the final few minutes.

Not long after the referee blew for the full-time whistle with both teams taking home a point.

Full Time

Smethwick will be slightly disappointed with drawing against Coventry Copsewood which is a sign of how far they’ve come. The new management team of Francino Francis and Sam Heath were appointed last season, and they have come on leaps and bounds since fighting relegation at the start of the 23/24 season.

To be 2nd in the league is a remarkable achievement and they have been building something since moving to Boldmere in the middle of last season. They got a valuable point yesterday against a good side. It continues their seven-match unbeaten run with just one loss in the league so far this season.

Full credit to Coventry Copsewood who showed character to get back into it from 1-0 down. They kept going despite struggling in the early stages of the first half and grew into the game as it went on.

There’s a lot of quality players such as Sean Kavanagh, Harvey Wells and Bryan Kohyrelon which gives them a chance in every match.

Their defence impressed yesterday with Faith Okundaye and Sam Hewitt playing well at the back and adjusting to the injury to Joe Anthony in the first half.

Overall, there’s a lot to be positive about for both teams going forward at step six.         

FT score: Smethwick Rangers 1-1 Coventry Copsewood

Man of the match: Faith Okundaye (Coventry Copsewood)

Attendance: 35

Match report written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League