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

​Highgate United

League position: 4th

FA Vase: Third round proper

MFL League cup: Quarter Finals

FA cup: Extra preliminary round

Highgate have been excellent in the premier division and are challenging for the play offs going into the second half of the season. The league title might be a stretch with a 9-point difference between them and Congleton in 1st with three games in hand over the Bears, but the play offs is a more realistic aim for the Gate.

Their main strength has been their home form at the Coppice with seven wins from ten matches which has seen them compete at the top of the table. Another positive has been their defence which is the best in the division with just 18 goals conceded and Shay Palmer playing excellently at the back.

It’s shaping up to be an exciting second half of the season for Highgate supporters with the club well in the mix for promotion to step four. Their also capable of going far in the MFL League cup where there in the quarter finals and play Tividale away from home next Saturday.

Upcoming fixtures:

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

9/1/2024: Bewdley Town (Away) (Premier Division) (7:45pm KO)

13/1/2024: Tividale (Away) (MFL League cup) (3pm KO)

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

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

30/1/2024: Whitchurch Alport (Away) (Premier Division) (7:45pm KO)

Lichfield City

League position: 3rd

FA Vase: Fourth round proper

MFL League cup: Third round  

FA cup: Extra preliminary round

Lichfield have been brilliant in the premier division this season and have been one of the stories in step five. Similar to Highgate, the league title might be a stretch too far but their more than capable of a top five finish and are six points ahead of AFC Wulfrunians in 6th. Ivor Green is doing a brilliant job as manager and it’s going to be an interesting second half of the season.

Their main strength has been their home form at the Trade Tyre Community Stadium where they are unbeaten from ten matches and have won seven of those. Another positive has been how tough they have been to beat with only two losses across 18 league matches.

Daniel Smith has been brilliant up front and is one of the leading scorers in the division with 22 goals in all competitions. They also have one of the best defences in the league with 20 goals conceded.

They have a huge match in the FA Vase against Worcester City on the 13th of January and it’s going to be an exciting second half of the season for Lichfield supporters.  

Upcoming fixtures:

6/1/2024: AFC Wulfrunians (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO)

10/1/2024: Wednesfield (Away) (JW Hunt cup) (7:45pm KO)

13/1/2024: Worcester City (Away) (FA Vase) (3pm KO)

16/1/2024: Atherstone Town (Away) (MFL League cup) (7:45pm KO)

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

22/1/2024: Romulus (Away) (Premier Division) (7:45pm KO)

Northwich Victoria

League position: 14th

FA Vase: First round proper

MFL League cup: First round

FA cup: Extra preliminary round

Northwich have been ok since transferring from the NWCL over the summer and have adapted relatively well to the premier division. The Vics are in lower mid table and have a five-point gap over Dudley Town in 17th.

Their main strength has been at home where they have played at both Witton Albion and Winsford United this season with four wins and two draws from eight matches. Their away form has been a problem as their yet to win on the road from eight matches which has stopped them climbing up the table.

Goal scoring has also been an issue for the Vics with 22 goals scored over 16 league matches which is one of the lowest in the league. None the less, Samual Connor Unwin has stepped up in the final third and has 9 goals in all competitions.

The main goal for Northwich will be to finish comfortably in mid table come the end of the season.

Upcoming fixtures:

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

9/1/2024: 1874 Northwich (Away) (Mid Cheshire Senior cup) (7:45pm KO)

13/1/2024: AFC Wulfrunians (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO)

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

27/1/24: Wolverhampton Casuals (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO)

30/1/24: Dudley Town (Home) (Premier Division) (8pm KO)

Romulus

League position: 11th

FA Vase: First round proper

MFL League cup: Third round

FA cup: Extra preliminary round

Romulus have been ok in the premier division, and it’s been a transitional season so far. Jason Lanns left over the summer, and they brought in Neil Tooth as their new manager. Their comfortably in mid table going into the second half of the season.

Their well clear of any relegation worries with a 10-point gap from Dudley Town in 17th but have a 9-point gap to reach the play offs. At this stage, a top half finish would be good from the Roms and getting in the play offs would be excellent.

Their main strength has been their home form at Castle Vale Stadium with four wins and one draw from eight matches. There’s quality in the squad with the likes of Cameron Lee and Dean Morris playing well at the back. 

It might take a bit of time before Neil Tooth can build a squad to challenge the teams at the top of the league. The likes of Congleton, Lichfield and Highgate have been building at step five for a few seasons with the same management set up in place. Patience may be required before things start to click and they get a run of form going to challenge for the top five.    

It’s going to be an interesting few months ahead at Romulus to see where the club is at come April.     

Upcoming fixtures:

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

13/1/24: Stone Old Alleynians (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO)

16/1/24: Stapenhill (Away) (MFL League cup) (7:45pm KO)

20/1/24: Whitchurch Alport (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO)

22/1/24: Lichfield City (Home) (Premier Division) (7:45pm KO)

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

Shifnal Town

League position: 9th

FA Vase: Second qualifying round

MFL League cup: Quarter Finals

FA cup: First qualifying round

Shifnal have been ok in the premier division and are comfortably in mid table going into the second half of the season. Their well clear of any relegation worries with a 11-point gap over Dudley Town in 17th but have a bit of ground to make up for the play offs with an eight-point gap between them and Stourport in 5th.

Their main strength has been at home with four wins and a draw from nine matches which has pushed them into a comfortable mid table position. Another positive has been the goalscoring form of Joe Ellis Cuff who has been excellent since joining from Shawbury United and has 15 goals in all competitions.

Their main issue has been their away form with just three wins from nine matches which has stopped them going higher up the table.

The situation is similar to Romulus, and it might take some time before Connor Patterson can build a squad that can challenge for step four. At some stage over the next few months there might be one eye on building for next season.

They are an interesting club to follow over the next few months to see where they’re going.  

Upcoming fixtures:

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

9/1/24: Gornal Athletic (Away) (JW Hunt cup) (7:45pm KO)

13/1/24: Atherstone Town (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO)

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

27/1/24: Lichfield City (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO)

30/1/24: Stone Old Alleynians (Home) (Premier Division) (7:45pm KO)

Stone Old Alleynians

League position: 12th

FA Vase: Second round proper

MFL League cup: Second round

FA cup: Extra preliminary round

Stone Old Alleynians have been brilliant in the premier division and are well clear of any relegation concerns. Staying in the league is the main aim for the Stoke club in a tough division so to have an eight-point gap over Dudley Town in 17th is testament to how well the squad has played over 17 matches.

They can go a bit under the radar at step five, but they have been playing well. The key strength has been how tough they have been to beat with only five losses so far and they notably went on a good run in the FA Vase before bowing out to Boston Town on penalties.

Their form at Kings Park has been good with just three losses from ten matches. On the road they have been challenging to break down with just 9 goals conceded from seven matches. They notably beat Studley away from home back in November which was an excellent team display to shut the Bees down.

Overall, staying in the division is the priority but the squad could be dark horses for a top half finish if they can build some momentum.  

Upcoming fixtures:

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

13/1/24: Romulus (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO)

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

27/1/24: Stourport Swifts (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO)

30/1/24: Shifnal Town (Away) (Premier Division) (7:45pm KO)

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

​Review feature written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League