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

​AFC Coventry Rangers

League position: 4th

LJ Challenge Cup: Second Round

Birmingham Saturday Vase: Third Round

AFC Coventry Rangers have been good in division two and are well involved in the title race alongside the likes of Knowle, Alcester Town and Redditch Borough. They have five games in hand over league leaders Knowle with a 14-point difference to make up going into the second half of the season.

A key strength so far has been their home form which includes 8 wins from nine matches at the Coventry technical sporting club. Despite a small sample size, their away form will need to improve to stand a chance of winning the league with just one win from three matches on the road. 

Their still involved in the Birmingham Saturday Vase which is an excellent chance of silverware this season and come up against Bolehall Swifts on Saturday. A top four finish in the league would be a good season for AFC Coventry Rangers. 

Upcoming fixtures:

6/1/24: Bolehall Swifts (Away) (Birmingham Saturday Vase) (3pm KO)

13/1/24: Lane Head (Away) (Division Two) (2pm KO)

20/1/24: Coventrians (Home) (Division Two) (2pm KO)

27/1/24: Hampton (Away) (Division Two) (2pm KO)

Alcester Town

League position: 5th

LJ Challenge Cup: Quarter Finals

Birmingham Saturday Vase: Third Round

Alcester have been excellent in division two and are challenging for the league. The Romans also have five games in hand over Knowle with a 14-point difference to make up. A top four finish would be a brilliant achievement come the end of the season.

They have a huge match against Knowle in the LJ Challenge cup in early February. If they can cause an upset at the Robins Nest, they have a really good chance of finishing the season with silverware.

Ricardo Richards has been excellent up front with 17 goals in all competitions.  

Upcoming fixtures:

6/1/24: Oldbury United (Away) (Birmingham Saturday Vase) (2pm KO)

13/1/24: Knowle (Home) (Division Two) (2pm KO)

20/1/24: Coventry Alvis (Away) (Division Two) (3pm KO)

27/1/24: Redditch Borough (Away) (Division Two) (2pm KO)

3/2/24: Knowle (Away) (LJ Challenge Cup) (2:15pm KO)

Birmingham United

League position: 2nd  

LJ Challenge Cup: Quarter Finals

Birmingham Saturday Vase: Second Round

Birmingham have been brilliant in division two and are competing near the top of the table. Their away form has been a key strength this season with seven wins and two draws from twelve matches.  A top five finish come April would be a successful season for them.

Their still involved in the LJ challenge cup and have an excellent chance of winning it. They have a big match away at Hampton in early February at the quarter final stage. Connor Doyle has been brilliant since joining from Earlswood Town and has 9 goals in all competitions this season. 

They have a huge match against local rivals Redditch Borough this Saturday which could be pivotal in the title race.   

Upcoming fixtures:

6/1/24: Redditch Borough (Away) (2pm KO)

13/1/24: Fairfield Villa (Home) (3pm KO)

27/1/24: Coventrians (Home) (3pm KO)

03/2/24: Hampton (Away) (2:15pm KO)

Bolehall Swifts

League position: 16th  

LJ Challenge cup: First Round

Birmingham Saturday Vase: Third Round

It’s been a tough season for the Swifts so far who are in a relegation battle to stay in the division. One of their main issues has been up front with only 13 goals scored from 13 matches which is the lowest in the league. Finding a reliable goal scorer can be difficult at this level but can make a huge difference to a club’s season.

None the less, Bolehall are not too far away from safety and are only a point off Littleton in 14th. They also have a few games in hand over the teams above them in the table.

It’s not a lost season for Bolehall just yet. If they can find a striker to score the goals and tighten up at the back, they stand a chance of achieving safety which would be an excellent achievement.

Upcoming fixtures:

6/1/24: AFC Coventry Rangers (Home) (Birmingham Saturday Vase) (3pm KO)

13/1/24: Hampton (Away) (Division Two) (2pm KO)

20/1/24: Lane Head (Home) (Division Two) (3pm KO)

27/1/24: Coventry Alvis (Away) (Division Two) (3pm KO)

Cadbury Athletic

League position: 12th  

LJ Challenge Cup: First Round

Birmingham Saturday Vase: Third Round

It’s been a transitional season for Cadbury Athletic who are adjusting to a new manager in Daniel Moses. There’s been some positives such as Callum Devlin having an excellent campaign up front with 9 goals in all competitions. They also notably beat Redditch Borough away from home.

There are signs that Cadbury could be competing near the top of the table next season, and it might take a bit of time before it comes to fruition. Staying in the division is the main priority and a top ten finish would be a good achievement to build on for next season.    

Upcoming fixtures:

6/1/24: Inkberrow (Home) (Division Two) (2pm KO)

13/1/24: Littleton (Home) (Division Two) (2pm KO)

20/1/24: Hampton (Home) (Division Two) (2pm KO)

27/1/24: Earlswood Town (Away) (Division Two) (2pm KO) 

Central Ajax

League position: 11th  

LJ Challenge cup: Quarter Finals

Birmingham Saturday Vase: First Round

Central Ajax have competed well since being promoted from division three last season. Achieving safety is the main goal for the Warwickshire club so they can establish themselves at step seven. They have done well in adjusting to the level and staying up would be a good achievement.

The main positives so far include the form of Shaye Eden who has been excellent in front of goal with 15 goals scored in all competitions. Their run in the LJ challenge cup has also been good for building confidence in their battle to stay in the division.        

Upcoming fixtures:

6/1/24: Hampton (Away) (Coventry Charity cup) (2pm KO)

13/1/24: Coventrians (Home) (Division Two) (2pm KO)

20/1/24: Littleton (Home) (Division Two) (2pm KO)

27/1/24: Lane Head (Away) (Division Two) (2pm KO)

3/2/24: Earlswood Town (Home) (LJ Challenge cup) (2:15pm KO)

Coventrians

League position: 7th  

LJ Challenge cup: First Round

Birmingham Saturday Vase: Second Round

Coventrians have grown into the season since being promoted from division three. Following a tough start to the season they have competed excellently since early November and are now challenging for a top half finish. Romano Graham has also impressed up front with eight goals in all competitions.

It’s a shame they did not go on a cup run but finishing around the top ten would be an excellent achievement. 

Upcoming fixtures:

6/1/24: Littleton (Home) (Division Two) (2pm KO)

13/1/24: Central Ajax (Away) (Division Two) (2pm KO)

20/1/24: AFC Coventry Rangers (Away) (Division Two) (2pm KO)

27/1/24: Birmingham United (Away) (Division Two) (3pm KO)

Coventry Alvis

League position: 9th  

LJ Challenge cup: First Round

Birmingham Saturday Vase: Third Round

Coventry Alvis have had an interesting season in division two. The Tankmen have recently changed their manager with Luke Hopkins being appointed to see out the second half of the season. Their comfortably in mid table and have an outside chance of going far in the Birmingham Saturday Vase.

Their main issue has been their home form with five losses from eight matches which has stopped the club competing higher up the table. The squad is capable of a top half finish if they can get a run of form going over the next few months.   

Jagit Aujla has been excellent up front and has 11 goals in all competitions.

Upcoming fixtures:

6/1/24: AFC Bentley (Home) (Birmingham Saturday Vase) (2pm KO)

13/1/24: Coventry Copsewood (Home) (Coventry Charity Cup) (3pm KO)

20/1/24: Alcester Town (Home) (Division Two) (3pm KO)

27/1/24: Bolehall Swifts (Home) (Division Two) (3pm KO)

Review feature written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League