MFL Division Three (mid-season review, part one)

​AFC Birmingham

League position: 4th

LJ Challenge Cup: first round

Birmingham Saturday Vase: Quarter Finals 

It’s been an exciting season for AFC Birmingham so far in division three. The Halesowen based club are only four points off the top two and are competing near the top of the division. A key strength has been their defence with only 17 goals conceded in the league from 16 matches. As well as competing in the league, their also on an excellent run in the Birmingham Saturday Vase and play Northfield in a few weeks’ time in the Quarter finals.   

Upcoming fixtures:

6/1/24: Northfield Town (H) (Division Three) (2pm KO)

13/1/24: Wake Green Amateur (A) (Division Three) (2pm KO)

20/01/24: Northfield Town (A) (Birmingham Saturday Vase) (2pm KO)

27/01/24: Feckenham (H) (Division Three) (2pm KO)

AFC Solihull

League position: 1st

LJ Challenge Cup: second round

Birmingham Saturday Vase: First Round

AFC Solihull have been excellent in division three and are challenging for the league title going into the second half of the season. A key strength has been their home form which has propelled the club up the table with six wins from seven matches at the Tudor Grange Leisure Centre. Early exits from the cup competitions might help them in the long run to achieve their main aim of getting promoted to division two.  

Dean Newman has done a brilliant job since coming in over the summer from Silhill and there’s quality throughout the squad. Jahvan Howell has impressed with 13 goals in all competitions and has built on last season with DSC United.

Upcoming fixtures:

6/1/24: Solihull Sporting (H) (Division Three) (2pm KO)

13/1/24: Birmingham Tigers (A) (Division Three) (2pm KO)

20/1/24: Silhill (H) (Division Three) (2pm KO)

27/1/24: Balsall and Berkswell (H) (Division Three) (2pm KO)

Balsall and Berkswell

League position: 8th

LJ Challenge Cup: second round

Birmingham Saturday Vase: First Round

Balsall and Berkswell have been good in division three and are competing in the top half of the table. They have been consistent at home and on the road with six wins in the league which includes three at home and three away from home. Their capable of pushing for a top six finish and have a few games in hand over the teams above them. Jack Archer has impressed for the Hornets with six goals in all competitions this season.  

Upcoming fixtures:

6/1/24: DSC United (H) (Division Three) (2pm KO)

13/1/24: Solihull Sporting (A) (Division Three) (2pm KO)

20/1/24: Continental Star (H) (Division Three) (2pm KO)

27/1/24: AFC Solihull (A) (Division Three) (2pm KO)

Birmingham Tigers

League position: 17th

LJ Challenge Cup: First Round

Birmingham Saturday Vase: First Round

It’s been a tough season for Birmingham Tigers in division three who are currently bottom of the league. None the less, there’s been some positives such as the draw away at Continental Star in mid-December, and they have two big games against BNJS over the next few weeks which is an opportunity to get points. If they can better last season’s tally of five points, it’s some progress for the Tigers.

Upcoming fixtures:

6/1/24: BNJS (A) (Division Three) (2pm KO)

13/1/24: AFC Solihull (H) (Division Three) (2pm KO)

20/1/24: BNJS (H) (Division Three) (2pm KO)

27/1/24: Northfield Town (H) (Division Three) (2pm KO)

BNJS

League position: 16th

LJ Challenge Cup: First Round

Birmingham Saturday Vase: First Round

Similar to Birmingham Tigers, BNJS have mainly struggled in division three this season and are second to bottom of the table. Despite the losses, it’s the club’s first season at this level and the experience of playing competitive Saturday football might benefit them in the long run.

When looking at the bigger picture, it's a transitional season with the club adapting to step eight of the national league pyramid. There’s quality in the squad with the likes of James Reid and Josh Sarmento impressing so far.      

Upcoming fixtures:

6/1/24: Birmingham Tigers (H) (Division Three) (2pm KO)

13/1/24: Northfield Town (A) (Division Three) (2pm KO)

20/1/24: Birmingham Tigers (A) (Division Three) (2pm KO)

Boldmere Sports and Social Falcons

League position: 13th

LJ Challenge Cup: Second Round

Birmingham Saturday Vase: First Round

It’s been a transitional season for Boldmere Falcons in division three who are adjusting to the level having been relegated from division two last season. The Falcons have got one eye on building for next season and are putting in the groundwork for future success at this level. They have appointed Jordan Lengthorn as their new manager and brought in a lot of players over the last month. In terms of this season, a top 10 finish would be good come April.  

Upcoming fixtures:

6/1/24: Continental Star (A) (Division Three) (2pm KO)

13/1/24: Silhill (A) (Division Three) (2pm KO)

20/1/24: Castle Vale Town (A) (Division Three) (2pm KO)

27/1/24: Gornal (A) (Division Three) (3pm KO)

Castle Vale Town

League position:  6th

LJ Challenge Cup: First Round

Birmingham Saturday Vase: First Round

It’s been an eye-catching season from the Spitfires in division three who have been competing near the top of the table. The club was struggling near the bottom of the division last season and the turnaround has been one of the stories of the season. It’s a shame they did not have a cup run but a top half finish would be excellent come April.

Two key strengths for the Spitfires are their away form and the goal scoring ability of Jordan McKenzie which has propelled the club up the table. They have eight wins from eleven matches on the road and Jordan McKenzie has scored 18 goals in all competitions.  

Upcoming fixtures:

13/1/24: DSC United (H) (Division Three) (2pm KO)

20/1/24: Boldmere Falcons (H) (Division Three) (2pm KO)

27/1/24: Leamington Hibernian (H) (Division Three) (2pm KO)

Continental Star

League position: 15th

LJ Challenge Cup: First Round

Birmingham Saturday Vase: First Round

Continental Star have been ok this season in division three and have managed to get the odd statement win in the league. Their main strength has been away from home where they have picked up notable away wins against Castle Vale Town and Boldmere Falcons. They have been competitive in games and only narrowly lost to AFC Solihull on boxing day. If they could better last season’s points tally of 15 that would be a good season.    

Upcoming fixtures:

6/1/24: Boldmere Falcons (H) (Division Three) (2pm KO)

20/1/24: Balsall and Berkswell (A) (Division Three) (2pm KO)

27/1/24: Meadow Park (H) (Division Three) (2pm KO)

DSC United

League position: 10th  

LJ Challenge cup: First Round

Birmingham Saturday Vase: Quarter Finals

DSC have been good in division three and have competed well in a tough division. Their main highlights include the form of Rabab Ali and their run in the Birmingham Saturday Vase. Rabab Ali has emerged as one of the most prolific strikers in the division and has 16 goals in all competitions this season.

They will play either Bolehall Swifts or AFC Coventry Rangers away in the quarter finals of the Birmingham Vase on the 20th January. Despite being in mid table, there’s a lot to excite DSC supporters between now and April.    

Upcoming fixtures:

6/1/24: Balsall and Berkswell (A) (Division Three) (2pm KO)

13/1/24: Castle Vale Town (A) (Division Three) (2pm KO)

27/1/24: Silhill (A) (Division Three) (2pm KO) 

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Review feature written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League