MFL mid-season review (Division One, Part One)

​AFC Bridgnorth

League position: 16th

FA Vase: First Qualifying Round

MFL League cup: Third Round

AFC Bridgnorth have been ok this season in division one and have done well to stay above the relegation places in a competitive division. Their main strength has been their home form at Crown Meadow with four wins and three draws from ten matches which has created a three-point gap between them and Paget Rangers in 18th.

Their main problem has been away from home where they have struggled to get results. One win from ten matches on the road has dragged the Shropshire side into a relegation battle between the bottom five teams in the league.  

One of the positives for AFC Bridgnorth is that their in a good position to steel clear of relegation and have a game in hand over the teams below them. There’s also experience and leadership in the squad with the likes of Matt Dean and Jason Pike which should help them between now and April.

Overall, their well-equipped to fight a relegation battle but they could do with the odd result away from home to give themselves some breathing room from the bottom three.       

Upcoming fixtures:

6/1/24: Sutton United (Away) (Division One) (3pm KO)

13/1/24: Coton Green (Away) (Division One) (3pm KO)

20/1/24: Coventry Copsewood (Home) (Division One) (3pm KO)

27/1/24: OJM Black Country (Home) (Division One) (3pm KO)

3/2/24: Bilston Town (Away) (Division One) (3pm KO)

10/2/24: Heather St John’s (Home) (Division One) (3pm KO)

Allscott Heath

League position: 6th

FA Vase: N/A

MFL League cup: First Round

Allscott have been excellent since joining the MFL from the West Midlands Regional League and have been one of the stories of the season at this level. They were a bit of an unknown for supporters outside of Shropshire at the beginning of the season and one of the hardest to predict in division one.

A mid table finish would have been excellent in their first season at this level so to be competing for the play offs is amazing.

Even if they don’t quite manage to get in the play offs it’s been a successful season for Allscott. They have a daunting fixture list throughout January and play teams that are either hunting for the play offs or fighting off relegation. Their just outside the play offs on goal difference and have three games in hand over Bilston in 5th.   

Thomas Fallon has been excellent up front and has 10 goals in all competitions.   

Upcoming fixtures:

13/1/24: Hinckley AFC (Away) (Division One) (3pm KO)

16/1/24: Ingles (Away) (Division One) (7:45pm KO)

20/1/24: Smethwick Rangers (Away) (Division One) (3pm KO)

27/1/24: Paget Rangers (Away) (Division One) (3pm KO)

30/1/24: Heather St John’s (Home) (Division One) (7:45pm KO)

3/2/24: Wednesfield (Home) (Division One) (3pm KO)

Bilston Town Community

League position: 5th

FA Vase: Second qualifying round

MFL League cup: Second round

Bilston have really grown into the season and are chasing the play offs going into the second half of the season. The Steelmen had a tough start with 10 points from their first eight matches but have steadily climbed the table since.

Their main strength has been up front with 57 goals scored and they have one of the best attacks in the league. Samuel Yankson has been excellent since joining from league winners Dudley Town over the summer and has 17 goals in all competitions. Eesa Sawyers has that bit of quality on the ball to unlock defences which can make the difference in tight matches.

Their home form at Queen Street has been good with eight wins from 13 matches and has propelled the club into the play offs. Their recent form over December is also eye catching with 11 points from their last six matches. It’s just a case of keeping it going over the next few months as it feels like the team is starting to click up front.      

Upcoming fixtures:

6/1/24: Coventry Copsewood (Away) (Division One) (3pm KO)

13/1/24: Stapenhill (Away) (Division One) (3pm KO)

20/1/24: OJM Black Country (Away) (Division One) (3pm KO)

27/1/24: Nuneaton Griff (Home) (Division One) (3pm KO)

3/2/24: AFC Bridgnorth (Home) (Division One) (3pm KO)

10/2/24: Paget Rangers (Away) (Division One) (3pm KO)

Chelmsley Town

League position: 15th

FA Vase: Second qualifying round

MFL League cup: Second Round

Chelmsley Town have been good in division one and have gone a bit under the radar this season. Steve Soloman has done a brilliant job steering the club away from any relegation worries with a 13-point gap between them and Paget Rangers in 18th. The club is well run and does a good job with developing players and giving them minutes in a competitive division.

Their main strength has been their home form at Pack Meadow with six wins and three draws from 13 matches. Their away form has not been too bad but goalscoring has been their main issue with five goals from eight matches on the road.

A mid table finish would be a good season for Chelmsley Town come April. It’s just a case of making sure they don’t get dragged into a relegation battle and continuing their good form at Pack Meadow.      

Upcoming fixtures:

6/1/24: Wolverhampton Sporting Community (Away) (Division One) (3pm KO)

13/1/24: Wednesfield (Home) (Division One) (3pm KO)

20/1/24: Coton Green (Away) (Division One) (3pm KO)

27/1/24: Heather St John’s (Away) (Division One) (3pm KO)

3/2/24: Hinckley AFC (Home) (Division One) (3pm KO)

10/2/24: Shawbury United (Away) (Division One) (3pm KO)

Coton Green

League position: 19th

FA Vase: Second qualifying round

MFL League cup: Second Round

It’s been a tough season for Coton Green in division one who are on their third manager of the season. Nic Oakley has been appointed as their new manager this week with the aim of keeping the Green Army in the league come the end of April. It’s been a stop and start season so far for Coton with the club struggling to build momentum to leave them in the relegation zone.

One of their main issues has been up front with just 26 goals scored over 20 matches. This is somewhat surprising given the quality of the squad. If the Green Army can take their chances, they should be able to move clear of the relegation places over the next few months. Leighton Hines and Matt Gardner are excellent at this level and could be the difference for Coton.

They have a huge match against Paget Rangers at Coles Lane on Saturday in a relegation six pointer.      

Upcoming fixtures:

6/1/24: Paget Rangers (Away) (Division One) (3pm KO)

13/1/24: AFC Bridgnorth (Home) (Division One) (3pm KO)

16/1/24: Wednesfield (Away) (Division One) (7:45pm KO)

20/1/24: Chelmsley Town (Home) (Division One) (3pm KO)

27/1/24: Cradley Town (Home) (Division One) (3pm KO)

30/1/24: Wolverhampton Sporting Community (Away) (Division One) (3pm KO)

Coventry Copsewood

League position: 11th

FA Vase: First qualifying round

MFL League cup: First Round

Coventry Copsewood have been good in division one and have gone a bit under the radar. Their comfortably in mid table and have been competitive throughout the season against quality teams such as Droitwich Spa at home where they won 3-1.

Their main strength has been up front where they have one of the best attacks in the league. They have scored 42 goals and Sean Kavanagh has been a brilliant signing since joining from Coventrians over the summer with 12 goals in all competitions. Bryan Kohyrelon is also good in the final third and has that quality to unlock defences.

One of their issues has been defensively which has stopped them climbing into the top half of the table. They have conceded 44 goals from 22 matches and if they could tighten up at the back, they have a good chance of a top half finish.   

Upcoming fixtures:

6/1/24: Bilston Town (Home) (Division One) (3pm KO)

13/1/24: Nuneaton Griff (Away) (Division One) (3pm KO)

20/1/24: AFC Bridgnorth (Away) (Division One) (3pm KO)

27/1/24: Wolverhampton Sporting Community (Home) (Division One) (3pm KO)

3/2/24: Droitwich Spa (Away) (Division One) (3pm KO)

10/2/24: Hinckley AFC (Away) (Division One) (3pm KO)

Cradley Town

League position: 2nd  

FA Vase: First qualifying round

MFL League cup: Second Round

Cradley have been excellent in division one and are competing for the play offs going into the second half of the season. The Hammers have been one of the stories of the season alongside Hinckley AFC and Allscott Heath and were battling relegation for large parts of last season. On the 4th of January last year they were in 20th with 17 points. The turnaround has been incredible.

Their main strength has been their home form at Beeches View Avenue with eight wins from eleven matches which has propelled the club up the table. Another strength has been up front with an incredible 60 goals scored across 22 matches. One of the most pleasing things from the Hammers is that there’s goals throughout the team and they’re not reliant on just one player.

Jordan Crump has been brilliant with 8 goals in all competitions alongside Chris Bladen who has seven goals this season. Their early exists from the cup competitions might help them in their push for the play offs as they can just focus on the league.

It’s shaping up to be an exciting second half of the season for Hammers supporters. 

Upcoming fixtures:

6/1/24: Wednesfield (Away) (Division One) (3pm KO)

13/1/24: Sutton United (Home) (Division One) (3pm KO)

20/1/24: Heather St John’s (Away) (Division One) (3pm KO)

27/1/24: Coton Green (Away) (Division One) (3pm KO)

3/2/24: Ingles (Home) (Division One) (3pm KO)

10/2/24: Allscott Heath (Home) (Division One) (3pm KO) 


Review feature written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League