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

​Stourport Swifts

League position: 5th

FA Vase: Fourth round proper

MFL League cup: Second round

FA cup: Extra preliminary round

Stourport have been excellent in the premier division so far and are challenging for the play offs going into the second half of the season. The Swifts are currently one point ahead of AFC Wulfrunians in 6th and have three games in hand over them. Reaching the play offs would be a brilliant achievement but it’s been a successful season regardless of if they get in the top five.

Their main strength has been their home form at Walshes Meadow where their currently unbeaten from eight matches with six wins and two draws. Another positive has been how tough they have been to beat with only three losses over the course of 18 matches. It’s a squad full of quality and their main striker Benjamin Tilbury has 10 goals in all competitions.

One notable area for improvement is their form on the road. It’s not too bad with just three losses but includes five draws from ten matches. If they could get a few more results away from home, they could be dark horses for a top three finish.

They have been on an eye-catching run in the FA Vase, knocking out a range of quality teams such as Sherwood Colliery from the United Counties League and AFC Wulfrunians. The Swifts have a tough match at home against Ashby Ivanhoe on the 13th of January which is a chance to reach the fifth round in February.

It’s shaping up to be exciting second half of the season for Stourport supporters and the team is competing well in both the league and FA Vase.      

Upcoming fixtures:

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

9/1/2024: Darlaston Town (Home) (Premier Division) (7:45pm KO)

13/1/2024: Ashby Ivanhoe (Home) (FA Vase) (3pm KO)

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

27/1/2024: Stone Old Alleynians (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO)

30/1/2024: Tividale (Home) (Premier Division) (7:45pm KO)

Studley

League position: 2nd

FA Vase: First qualifying round

MFL League cup: First round

FA cup: Preliminary round

Studley have been good in the premier division and are challenging for the play offs between now and the end of April. With a seven-point gap to make up over Congleton Town in 1st, the league title is a stretch, but the play offs are a realistic aim for the Bees. If they do manage to make the play offs it will also be interesting to see if they can finish in the top three and set up a home semi-final match.

Their main strength has been their home form at the Studley Sports Centre with eight wins from 12 matches and 30 goals scored. They got some big results at home throughout the festive period and notably beat both Darlaston Town and Highgate United to get their season back on track following a tough run of form in November.

Their main issue has been their away form with just three wins from nine matches. It’s been a mixed bag on the road for Studley so far and includes three draws.

The main goal is to reach the play offs. Their early exits from the cup competitions might help them achieve this come April as they can prioritise the league more than the teams around them.    

Upcoming fixtures:

6/1/24: Whitchurch Alport (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO)

20/1/24: Congleton Town (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO)

3/2/24: Shifnal Town (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO)

10/2/24: Wolverhampton Casuals (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO)

17/2/24: Romulus (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO)

24/2/24: Stourport Swifts (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO)

Tividale

League position: 16th

FA Vase: Third round proper

MFL League cup: Quarter Finals

FA cup: Extra Preliminary round

It’s been a challenging season for Tividale where the club has struggled to build some momentum in the league. Their currently involved in a relegation battle to stay up and have a crucial run of games over the next month. There’s been a lot of postponements and good cup runs for Tividale which has caused a fixture backlog going into the second half of the season.

None the less, their a point above Dudley Town in 16th and have a game in hand over the Robins. They need to produce a run of form as that second relegation spot could be one of four teams from Northwich in 14th to Dudley in 17th.

Their main issue has been on the road with just one win in nine matches and 26 goals conceded. If they could tighten up at the back and play either a counter attacking or more pragmatic brand of football away, they could climb up the table. Being better defensively will also be important towards their goal difference which could be pivotal at the end of the season.

One of the positives has been their run in the FA Vase and the MFL League cup which should give the squad confidence for the relegation battle. There’s quality in the squad with Ryan Snape impressing from attacking midfield and scoring eight goals in all competitions this season. 

It’s going to be an interesting rest of the season for Tividale in both the cup competitions and the league.

Upcoming fixtures:

6/1/24: Darlaston Town (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO)

9/1/24: Lye Town (Home) (Birmingham Senior Challenge cup) (7:45pm KO)

13/1/24: Highgate United (Home) (MFL League cup) (3pm KO)

16/1/24: Whitchurch Alport (Home) (Premier Division) (7:45pm KO)

20/1/24: Uttoxeter Town (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO)

27/1/24: Dudley Town (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO)

Uttoxeter Town

League position: 7th

FA Vase: First qualifying round

MFL League cup: First round

FA cup: Extra preliminary round

Uttoxeter have been brilliant in the premier division and have been one of the surprise teams in the league this season. The Staffordshire side struggled for large parts of last season and were involved in a relegation battle to stay at step five. They ultimately got a reprieve with Winsford United taking a voluntary relegation to NWCL Division One South.

Since then they have taken the chance of step five football brilliantly and emerged as a surprise play-off contender. Their currently three points off the play offs and have a positive goal difference.

Their main strength has been at home at the Oldfield Sports Ground where they have lost just once in nine matches with four wins and four draws. Their defensive record at home has also been eye catching with just 12 goals conceded which has helped the club climb up the table.

Their away form has been a mixed bag and includes four wins and six losses from ten matches. It includes beating Shifnal Town and losing to Tividale and Lichfield, so it’s been a bit hit and miss.

It’s a shame they did not have a good run in one of the cup competitions in either the FA Vase or the MFL league cup. None the less, it’s gives them a good opportunity to prioritise the league and build a run of form to challenge for the top five.

Mikey Conlon has been playing well from midfield and has that quality on the ball to create chances for Uttoxeter. He has 9 goals in all competitions so far this season.

From a Uttoxeter perspective, it’s better looking up the table rather than the teams below them. Their well clear of relegation and are looking forward to an enjoyable second half of the season where their competing for the play offs.     

Upcoming fixtures:

6/1/24: Stourport Swifts (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO)

13/1/24: Darlaston Town (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO)

20/1/24: Tividale (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO)

3/2/24: AFC Wulfrunians (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO)

6/2/24: Atherstone Town (Home) (Premier Division) (7:45pm KO)

10/2/24: Congleton Town (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO)

Whitchurch Alport

League position: 13th

FA Vase: Fourth round proper

MFL League cup: Third round

FA cup: Preliminary round

Whitchurch have mainly struggled in the premier division and are in lower mid table going into the second half of the season. It feels like a transitional season with Adam Shillcock coming in as their new manager in season and gradually turning the fortunes of the Shropshire club around. There’s still work to do with the main priority to avoid relegation but there in a better place than they were a few months ago.

Their main strength has been at Yockings Park where they have lost just two out of eight matches. Three wins and three draws from their home matches have stopped Whitchurch being dragged into a relegation battle near the bottom of the division but their only six points better off than Dudley Town in 17th so it’s not out of the question. 

The key issue has been away from home with two wins from eight matches. It’s been hit and miss so far on the road in the league with six losses away from home. Another issue has been in the final third with only 21 goals scored across 16 matches which is one of the lowest in the division.

Their notable run in the FA Vase should give the squad confidence going into the new year and help them climb up the table. It’s been one of the stories of the season with eye catching wins against Biggleswade United and Worcester Raiders setting up a home tie against Great Wakering Rovers on the 13th of January.

A mid table finish would be a successful season for Whitchurch with further success in the FA Vase a bonus.   

Upcoming fixtures:

6/1/24: Studley (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO)

9/1/24: Congleton Town (Home) (MFL League cup) (7:45pm KO)

13/1/24: Great Wakering Rovers (Home) (FA Vase) (3pm KO)

16/1/24: Tividale (Away) (Premier Division) (7:45pm KO)

20/1/24: Romulus (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO)

27/1/24: Bewdley Town (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO)

Wolverhampton Casuals

League position: 15th

FA Vase: Second round proper

MFL League cup: Second round

FA cup: Extra Preliminary round

Wolverhampton Casuals have been ok in the premier division and are going into the new year in a good position in their quest to stay in the league. The Cassies are five points better off than Dudley Town in 17th with the same number of games played and have a crucial run of fixtures over the next month to get some points to climb into mid table.

Their main strength has been away from home where they have managed to pick up 11 points from nine matches which has put them above the relegation zone. Their home form at the Brinsford stadium has been more challenging with one win from eight matches.

They also had a tough festive period where they lost to relegation rivals Tividale and Dudley which has dragged them back into the fight to stay up.

They should look back on their good run in the FA Vase where they reached the second round before bowing out to Worcester City and use it as a source of confidence for the league matches ahead. It’s going to be a big month for the club as they play Northwich Victoria twice and are also up against struggling Bewdley Town. 

The loss of Tom Cottam to Darlaston Town is a big blow and the club will need to find a reliable goal scorer from January to April to achieve safety. Benni Wilson has played well for the Cassies and has six goals in all competitions this season.

The main goal will be staying up and if Wolverhampton Casuals can achieve this it will be a successful season.  

Upcoming fixtures:

6/1/24: Northwich Victoria (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO)

13/1/24: Congleton Town (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO)

20/1/24: AFC Wulfrunians (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO)

27/1/24: Northwich Victoria (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO)

3/2/24: Bewdley Town (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO)

10/2/24: Studley (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO)

Review feature written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League