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

AFC Wulfrunians

League position: 6th  

FA Vase: Second round proper

MFL League cup: Second round

FA cup: Extra Preliminary round

AFC Wulfrunians have grown into the season and gradually climbed the table in the premier division. They have been on a good run of form since the appointment of Carl Abbott in early October and have emerged as genuine play-off contenders for the second half of the season.

They were in 11th place with 13 points on the 5th of October and have since picked up 17 points to sit in 6th. One of their strengths has been their away form with five wins and two draws from eleven matches. Their record at Castlecroft is not too bad either with four wins and one draw from ten matches.

Another strength has been their in-season recruitment with the signings of promising prospects such as Ben Worthington from Bewdley mixed with experienced leaders such as Lee Chilton from Stourport and there’s a nice blend of youth and experience in the squad.

Even if they don’t make the play offs, a top half finish would be a good season.   

Upcoming Fixtures:

6/1/2024: Lichfield City (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO)

13/1/2024: Northwich Victoria (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO)

20/1/2024: Wolverhampton Casuals (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO)

3/2/2024: Uttoxeter Town (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO)

10/2/2024: Dudley Town (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO)

17/2/2024: Tividale (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO)

Atherstone Town

League position: 10th

FA Vase: Second round proper

MFL League cup: Third round

FA Cup: First qualifying round

Atherstone Town are another club that have grown into the season and emerged as dark horses for the play offs. The Adders have been on an uptick of form since the managerial appointment of Mitch Thomson and have played well throughout December to be in the top half of the table.

One of their main strengths has been their home form at Sheepy Road with four wins and two draws from nine matches. Their away form is not too bad with only three losses from eight matches but could be improved on with only two wins.

There’s quality in the squad with Callum Rudd impressing at the back and Lewis Noon having the quality on the ball to unlock defences from attacking midfield.

It’s shaping up to be an intriguing second half of the season with the next month feeling crucial to see if they can realistically challenge for the play offs.  

Upcoming fixtures:

6/1/2024: Bewdley Town (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO)

13/1/2024: Shifnal Town (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO)

16/1/2024: Lichfield City (Home) (MFL League Cup) (7:45pm KO)

20/1/2024: Stourport Swifts (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO)

27/1/2024: Highgate United (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO)

3/2/2024: Highgate United (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO)

Bewdley Town

League position: 18th

FA Vase: Second qualifying round

MFL League cup: Third round

FA cup: Preliminary round

It’s been a struggle for Bewdley in the premier division who are bottom of the table with 4 points from 16 matches. Their nine points off safety with Tividale in 16th on 13 points. In a division that’s getting stronger every season it feels like Bewdley have struggled to adapt to it this season. It’s likely going to be a struggle between now and April.

Their two main issues have been defensively and their home record. They have conceded a total of 70 goals which is the worst in the division and have won none of their home matches at Ribbesford Meadow.  

They could go on a run on three consecutive wins in January to have a chance of safety but that feels unlikely.

There might be a stage in late February where they might have an eye on preparing for step six next season.         

Upcoming fixtures:

6/1/2024: Atherstone Town (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO)

9/1/2024: Highgate United (Home) (Premier Division) (7:45pm KO)

13/1/2024: Dudley Town (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO)

20/1/2024: Lichfield City (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO)

27/1/2024: Whitchurch Alport (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO)

3/2/2024: Wolverhampton Casuals (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO)

Congleton Town

League position: 1st  

FA Vase: Second round proper

MFL League cup: Third round

FA cup: Preliminary round

Congleton have been excellent this season and have adjusted to the MFL well having been transferred from the NWCL over the summer.

Richard Duffy made a good point earlier in the season when speaking to MFL Matters and said that it’s going to be a challenge whatever league their in. That mindset has helped the squad and kept the standards high for them to challenge for the league title going into the New Year.

Their main strength has been their home form at Booth Street which has been excellent and one of the stories of the season at this level. Their currently unbeaten at home from ten matches and have scored 29 goals alongside conceding just 6 goals. The Bears have also regularly been getting crowds of over 400 supporters for home games which can make a big difference at step five.

The club are currently top of the league with a seven-point gap over Studley in 2nd. Despite the disappointment of exiting the FA Vase, it gives them the opportunity to focus on the league and staying consistent to win it come April.      

​It’s shaping up to be an exciting second half of the season for Bears supporters who will be dreaming of step four football.

Upcoming fixtures:

6/1/2024: Stone Old Alleynians (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO)

9/1/2024: Whitchurch Alport (Away) (MFL League Cup) (7:45pm KO)

13/1/2024: Wolverhampton Casuals (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO)

20/1/2024: Studley (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO)

23/1/2024: Witton Albion (Away) (Cheshire Senior Cup) (7:45pm KO)

27/1/2024: Darlaston Town (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO)

Darlaston Town

League position: 8th

FA Vase: First round proper

MFL League cup: First round

FA cup: First qualifying round

Darlaston have been good in the premier division and are well involved in the play-off chase. The Citizens have four points to make up over Stourport Swifts in 5th with a game in hand. If they miss out on the play offs, a top half finish would be a good season for Darlaston.

Their main strength has been their home form at the Paycare Stadium with six wins and two draws from nine matches. Another positive is how tough they have been to beat with just four losses across 17 league matches.

Another strength has been their in-season recruitment which includes signing Tom Allsopp from Chelmsley Town and Tom Cottam from Wolverhampton Casuals to boost the squad.

A notable area for improvement in the second half of the season is their away form. They have won one out of eight matches on the road. If they can pick up a few more results away from home, they have a really good chance of making the play offs.

Aaron Bishop has played well in the final third and has 12 goals in all competitions.      

Upcoming fixtures:

6/1/2024: Tividale (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO)

9/1/2024: Stourport Swifts (Away) (Premier Division) (7:45pm KO)

13/1/2024: Uttoxeter Town (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO)

17/1/2024: Feckenham (Home) (Smedley Crooke Memorial Cup) (TBC KO)

20/1/2024: Highgate United (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO)

27/1/2024: Congleton Town (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO)

Dudley Town

League position: 17th

FA Vase: Second round proper

MFL League cup: Second round

FA cup: Extra preliminary round

It’s been an interesting season for Dudley Town in the premier division. Despite being in the relegation zone it feels like the club is growing and adapting to step five with each week and gradually looking more comfortable at this level. The Robins were promoted from division one last season and their main goal is to stay up and establish themselves at step five.

Their main strength has been at home at the Guardian Warehousing Arena where they have been competitive and lost just three out of eight matches. Their recent form has been another huge positive with 7 points from their last three matches and includes beating Lichfield City on Boxing Day.

There’s also quality in the squad and a brilliant support base to help the club stay up come April. Harry Crook has played well with 13 goals in all competitions and the Robins have regularly been getting crowds of over 100 supporters for home games.     

Despite currently being in a relegation battle, the outlook is mainly positive going into the second half of the season as it feels like the club is growing at step five.   

Upcoming fixtures:

6/1/2024: Highgate United (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO)

13/1/2024: Bewdley Town (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO)

20/1/2024: Stone Old Alleynians (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO)

27/1/2024: Tividale (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO)

30/1/2024: Northwich Victoria (Away) (Premier Division) (8pm KO)

3/2/2024: Whitchurch Alport (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 

Review feature written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League