MFL mid-season review (Division One, part three)

​Shawbury United

League position: 12th  

FA Vase: Second qualifying round

MFL League cup: Second round

Shawbury have been good in division one and have gone a bit under the radar. This is testament to how well the squad is playing and the fact their not involved in a relegation battle. The Shropshire side have really grown into the season and were only two points off relegation on the 1st of October. Their now 14 points ahead of Paget in 18th.

A key strength has been their away form with five wins and one draw on the road from eleven matches which has pushed the club into a mid-table position. They have also been good up front with 43 goals scored over 22 matches and Reece Jacobs has impressed in the final third with 10 goals in all competitions.

They also had a good run in the FA Vase before bowing out to Tividale at the Beeches in the second qualifying round. 

Their a bit like Coventry Copsewood in that their defence has been the main issue which has prevented them from challenging higher up the table. 45 goals conceded is not the worse record in the division, but it could improve at the back.

Overall, though, a good season from a club that has a track record of developing players and giving them the time to learn and get better.  

Upcoming Fixtures:

6/1/2024: Heather St John’s (Home) (Division One) (3pm KO)

13/1/2024: OJM Black Country (Away) (Division One) (3pm KO)

20/1/2024: Nuneaton Griff (Away) (Division One) (3pm KO)

27/1/2024: Sutton United (Home) (Division One) (3pm KO)

3/2/2024: Stapenhill (Away) (Division One) (3pm KO)

10/2/2024: Chelmsley Town (Home) (Division One) (3pm KO)

Smethwick Rangers

League position: 20th

FA Vase: Second qualifying round

MFL League cup: Second round

It’s been a struggle for Smethwick Rangers who have been battling relegation since the opening day of the season where they lost 7-0 to Sutton United. None the less, their not too far adrift of relegation at this stage and only two points off Wolves Sporting in 17th. A big second half of the season will be required to avoid relegation which would be an excellent achievement.

Their main issue has been defensively with 68 goals conceded over 23 matches which is the worst record in the division. However, the squad can tighten up at the back and get results as shown when they beat Droitwich Spa at home in early December so it’s not a lost cause.

Despite being bottom of the league there’s genuine quality in the squad and players that could play at step six in the future. Jake Lamb is a quality player at the back and has played well over the last month against the likes of Droitwich and Paget Rangers. Jake Allen is also good from midfield and links up the play well when building attacks.

On paper, it’s looking like a struggle for Smethwick, but the squad could get some surprise results to give themselves a chance of staying up going into the last few weeks.

If relegation does happen, it’s all about building at step seven which is getting tougher each season as shown by the quality of division two.     

Upcoming fixtures:

13/1/2024: Heather St John’s (Home) (Division One) (3pm KO)

20/1/2024: Allscott Heath (Home) (Division One) (3pm KO)

27/1/2024: Droitwich Spa (Away) (Division One) (3pm KO)

3/2/2024: Wolves Sporting (Home) (Division One) (3pm KO)

10/2/2024: Nuneaton Griff (Home) (Division One) (3pm KO)

17/02/2024: Stapenhill (Away) (Division One) (3pm KO)

Stapenhill

League position:  13th

FA Vase: N/A

MFL League cup: Third round

Stapenhill have been ok this season in division one and are comfortably in mid table. The Swans are well clear of any relegation worries with a 14-point difference over Paget in 18th. However, they are also 8 points off the play off spots and below a lot of quality teams that are building momentum. A top half finish would be a good achievement come the end of the season.

Their main strength has been their home form at Maple Grove with four wins and three draws from eight matches which has steered them away from a relegation battle. Their defensive record is also notably better at home than on the road with just 12 goals conceded at Maple Grove compared to 31 away from home.

The Burton based club are in mid table and it’s all about building for next season at this level. Samuel Birks has impressed in the final third and has 10 goals in all competitions.  

Upcoming fixtures:

6/1/2024: Hinckley AFC (Home) (Division One) (3pm KO)

9/1/2024: Wolverhampton Sporting Community (Home) (Division One) (7:45pm KO)

13/1/2024: Bilston Town (Home) (Division One) (3pm KO)

16/1/2024: Romulus (Home) (MFL League cup) (7:45pm KO)

20/1/2024: Paget Rangers (Home) (Division One) (3pm KO)

27/1/2024: Wednesfield (Away) (Division One) (3pm KO)

Sutton United

League position: 10th

FA Vase: N/A

MFL League cup: Second round

Sutton United have been excellent since being promoted from division two last season and have adjusted to step six well. The main goal was to stay up and establish themselves in division one so a top half finish would be an excellent achievement by the club.

Their main strength has been how tough they have been to beat with only six losses over the course of 23 matches which has pushed them into upper mid table. Another positive is how well their main striker Joe Gildea has adapted to this level and carried on his eye-catching form at step seven last season. He has 24 goals in all competitions and is one of the leading scorers in the division.

Their potential dark horses for the play offs but a top half finish is a more realistic aim come April.   

Upcoming fixtures:

6/1/2024: AFC Bridgnorth (Home) (Division One) (3pm KO)

13/1/2024: Cradley Town (Away) (Division One) (3pm KO)

27/1/2024: Shawbury United (Away) (Division One) (3pm KO)

3/2/2024: Heather St John’s (Home) (Division One) (3pm KO)

10/2/2024: Wolverhampton Sporting Community (Away) (Division One) (3pm KO)

17/2/2024: Allscott Heath (Away) (Division One) (3pm KO)

Wednesfield

League position: 9th

FA Vase: Second qualifying round

MFL League cup: Quarter Finals

Wednesfield have been brilliant in division one and are chasing the play offs going into the second half of the season. There’s been a lot of surprise play-off contenders this season, so Wednesfield have gone a bit under the radar. Even if they marginally miss out on a top five finish it’s been an excellent season by the Black Country club.

Their main strength has been their home form at the Cottage ground with six wins and two losses from ten matches which has put them in the hunt for the play offs. They have also been difficult to beat with just six losses in the league throughout 20 matches.

Jay Holdcroft has been playing well as the number nine and has 12 goals in all competitions.

Upcoming fixtures:

6/1/2024: Cradley Town (Home) (Division One) (3pm KO)

10/1/2024: Lichfield City (Home) (JW Hunt Cup) (7:45pm KO)

13/1/2024: Chelmsley Town (Away) (Division One) (3pm KO)

16/1/2024: Coton Green (Home) (Division One) (7:45pm KO)

23/1/2024: Paget Rangers (Home) (Division One) (7:45pm KO)

27/1/2024: Stapenhill (Home) (Division One) (3pm KO)

Wolverhampton Sporting Community

League position: 17th

FA Vase: Second qualifying round

MFL League cup: Third round

It’s been a tough season in division one for Wolves Sporting who are well involved in a relegation battle to stay in the division. Their coming off eight consecutive losses in the league and could do with a result to build some form between now and April to avoid going down. The main aim will be to stay up so they can start to build at step six, but it might be a struggle.

Their currently outside of the relegation zone on goal difference with Paget in 18th. The main problem has been away from home where they are yet to win and have picked up just two points from eleven matches. Their home form at Pride Park is notably better with three wins and three draws from ten matches.   

The main positive has been the form of Jack Arnold who has provided the team with an attacking threat. He has 14 goals in all competitions and could be crucial in keeping the club up come the end of the season.

There’s also a lot of the season left with 17 matches remaining for Wolves Sporting to finish above the relegation line.  

Upcoming fixtures:

6/1/2024: Chelmsley Town (Home) (Division One) (3pm KO)

9/1/2024: Stapenhill (Away) (Division One) (7:45pm KO)

13/1/2024: Droitwich Spa (Home) (Division One) (3pm KO)

20/1/2024: Hinckley AFC (Home) (Division One) (3pm KO)

27/1/2024: Coventry Copsewood (Away) (Division One) (3pm KO)

30/1/2024: Coton Green (Home) (Division One) (7:45pm KO) 

Review feature written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League