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

​Feckenham

League position: 3rd

LJ Challenge Cup: Second Round

Worcester Saturday cup: First Round

Feckenham have been excellent in division three and are well involved in the promotion race. The Millers are chasing the top two and are only a point off Northfield Town in 2nd going into the second half of the season. Regardless of what happens with chasing promotion, it’s been a successful season from the Worcestershire club who only joined the division this summer.

Their main strength this season has been up front where they have the best record in the division with 64 goals scored. They have also been excellent at the back with just 16 goals conceded which is a good sign that their capable of finishing in the top two. The Millers have been one of the stories in division three and face an exciting end to the season.   

Upcoming fixtures:

6/1/24: Wake Green Amateur (H) (Division Three) (2pm KO)

13/1/24: Gornal (A) (Division Three) (3pm KO)

17/1/24: Darlaston Town (A) (Smedley Crooke Memorial cup) (7:45pm KO)

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

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

Gornal

League position: 14th  

LJ Challenge Cup: Second round

Birmingham Saturday Vase: Third Round

Gornal have been a good addition to the Midland Football League since joining over the summer. They have had some notable cup wins and caused a few statement results in the league such as beating Meadow Park and knocking division two Inkberrow out of the Les James Challenge cup. Their adapting to the level but have quality in the squad with Habil Darboe impressing with 11 goals in all competitions.     

Upcoming fixtures:

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

13/1/24: Feckenham (H) (Division Three) (3pm KO)

27/1/24: Boldmere Falcons (H) (Division Three) (3pm KO)

Leamington Hibernian

League position: 12th

LJ Challenge Cup: First Round

Birmingham Saturday Vase: First Round

Leamington Hibernian have been fine in division three this season and have coped well with playing their games at Stockton football club following the clubhouse fire at Field Lane in August.

Their comfortably in mid table and are capable of finishing in the top half if they can get a run of form going. It’s a shame they did not have a cup run but there’s quality in the squad and they can test themselves this month with games against Silhill and Feckenham.    

Upcoming fixtures:

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

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

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

27/1/24: Castle Vale Town (A) (Division Three) (2pm KO)

Meadow Park

League position: 9th

LJ Challenge Cup: First Round

Worcester Saturday cup: Third Round

Meadow Park have been a brilliant addition to the MFL since joining over the summer and have not looked out of place in a tough division. Their main strength has been their home form with five wins at home compared to just one on the road. A top ten finish would be an excellent achievement at their first season at this level.   

Upcoming fixtures:

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

13/1/24: Leamington Hibernian (H) (Division Three) (2pm KO)

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

Northfield Town

League position: 2nd  

LJ Challenge Cup: First Round

Birmingham Saturday Vase: Quarter Finals

Northfield have been excellent in division three and are competing for promotion this season. They have played well in every competition and put in a good effort at New Mill Lane before losing to division two Hampton in late August in the LJ cup. Their also on a good run in the Birmingham Vase and it’s shaping up to be an exciting second half of the season.

They have one of the best defences in the league with only 19 goals conceded from 16 matches and have quality up front with Patrick Behan impressing this season with 14 goals in all competitions.    

Upcoming fixtures:

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

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

20/1/24: AFC Birmingham (H) (Birmingham Saturday Vase) (2pm KO)

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

Silhill

League position: 5th  

LJ Challenge Cup: Preliminary round

Birmingham Saturday Vase: Second Round

Silhill have been excellent since joining the MFL over the summer and have been competing near the top of the table. The Solihull club are in the chase for the top two, but a top five finish would be a brilliant season and something to build on for next season. A key strength has been their home form at Sharmans cross where they have won seven out of ten matches.

They have one of the best defences in the league with only 17 goals conceded and Gilad Grant has impressed up front with 11 goals in all competitions.   

Upcoming fixtures:

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

13/1/24: Boldmere Falcons (H) (Division Three) (2pm KO)

20/1/24: AFC Solihull (A) (Division Three) (2pm KO)

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

Solihull Sporting

League position: 11th

LJ Challenge Cup: First Round

Birmingham Saturday Vase: Second Round

Solihull Sporting have been good in division three and are comfortably in mid table. Their main strength has been their home form at Tudor Grange Academy Kingshurst where they have won five matches. Their yet to win away from home which has stopped them climbing up the table into a top half position.

None the less, there’s quality in the squad with Gabriel Harding impressing up front and scoring ten goals in all competitions.  

Upcoming fixtures:

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

13/1/24: Balsall and Berkswell (H) (Division Three) (2pm KO)

27/1/24: Wake Green Amateur (A) (Division Three) (2pm KO)

Wake Green Amateur

League position: 7th  

LJ Challenge Cup: First Round

Birmingham Saturday Vase: Second Round

Wake Green have been good in division three and are competing in the top half of the table. Their capable of finishing in the top six come April. The division in general has been tougher this season with the new additions adding to how competitive it is.  

Wake Green’s main strengths have been their home form at the Holloway and the goalscoring form of Ashley Smith. They have five wins at home which has put them into the top half of the table and Ashley Smith has scored 12 goals in all competitions. They have six games in hand over Castle Vale Town and are capable of catching them and reducing the ten-point difference.     

Upcoming fixtures:

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

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

27/1/24: Solihull Sporting (H) (Division Three) (2pm KO) 


Review feature written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League