MFL WEEKEND PREVIEW

Whilst we all take a break from the FIFA 2022 World Cup in Qatar there's a full programme of Midland Football League fixtures to enjoy this Saturday.

In the Premier Division league leaders Walsall Wood will be looking to increase their lead at the summit of the table when they host Wolverhampton Casuals at Oak Park. Second place, Shifnal Town are in action in the early kick off when they welcome Stourport Swifts to the Acoustafoam Stadium (kick off 2pm), meanwhile third place Darlaston Town (1874) travel to bottom-of-the-table Market Drayton Town. Lye Town, who have picked up six wins and two draws from their previous eight league fixtures host Bewdley Town, whilst Romulus, who themselves are on a six-game league unbeaten run, travel to Stone Old Alleynians.

Saturday's Midland Football League Premier Division fixtures:

Lye Town vs Bewdley Town (3pm)
Market Drayton Town vs Darlaston Town (1874) (3pm)
Racing Club Warwick vs AFC Wulfrunians (3pm)
Shifnal Town vs Stourport Swifts (2pm)
Stone Old Alleynians vs Romulus (3pm)
Studley vs Uttoxeter Town (3pm)
Tividale vs Atherstone Town (3pm)
Walsall Wood vs Wolverhampton Casuals (3pm)
Whitchurch Alport vs Highgate United (3pm)
Worcester City vs Lichfield City (3pm)

In Division 1, first plays twentieth when league leaders Dudley Town travel to Haughmond. Haughmond have suffered eight consecutive league defeats whereas the Robins are on a run of six victories from their previous seven league games. Second place Ashby Ivanhoe entertain mid-table Wednesfield at the NFU Sports Ground, whilst there's a mouth-watering tie at the Barwell's Kirkby Road ground where Hinckley AFC welcome Droitwich Spa. In the early kick off, bottom of the table Cradley Town will be buoyed by their recent win at Wednesfield when they host third-placed Bilston Town (kick off 2pm).

Three Division 1 sides are in cup action this weekend. Out-of-form Paget Rangers, who have lost six consecutive league games, welcome in-form OJM Black Country, who have racked up ten consecutive victories in all competitions. The two sides meet in the 2nd round of the Moldwell Products League Cup (kick off 2pm). The other Division 1 side in cup action is Coton Green who host Folly Lane in the Coventry Telegraph Cup.

Saturday's Midland Football League Division 1 fixtures:

Ashby Ivanhoe vs Wednesfield (3pm)
Cradley Town vs Bilston Town (2pm)
Haughmond vs Dudley Town (2pm)
Hinckley AFC vs Droitwich Spa (3pm)
Ingles vs AFC Bridgnorth (3pm)
Shawbury United vs Smethwick Rangers (3pm)
Stapenhill vs Wolverhampton Sporting Community (3pm)

Saturday's Moldwell Products League Cup 2nd Round fixture:

Paget Rangers vs OJM Black Country (2pm)

Saturday's Coventry Telegraph Cup fixtures:

Coton Green vs Folly Lane (3pm)
Coventrians vs Kenilworth Sporting (2pm)

In Division 2 there's an eclectic mix of fixtures with sides involved in league fixtures as well as three different cup competitions. The stand out tie in terms of Division 2 league fixtures sees Knowle, who are sitting fourth in the table, welcome second place Sutton United to the Robin's Nest. League leaders Cadbury Athletic are also in league action and they welcome Coventry Alvis to the Bournville Recreation Ground. Bolehall Swifts have picked up form as of late, with only one defeat from their five previous league fixtures and they welcome AFC Coventry Rangers who themselves are unbeaten in league action since the opening day of the season.

For the sides in cup action it's Division 2 versus Division 3 when Division 3 leaders Central Ajax entertain Alcester Town at Ajax Park in the Birmingham FA Saturday Vase competition. Two Division 2 sides face off against each other in the Worcestershire FA Saturday Cup when Inkberrow host Fairfield Villa, the other WFA Saturday Cup tie with Midland Football League interest sees Redditch Borough travel to New Dales Vale. 

Saturday's Midland Football League Division 2 fixtures:

Boldmere Sports & Social Falcons vs Hampton (2pm)
Bolehall Swifts vs AFC Coventry Rangers (2pm)
Cadbury Athletic vs Coventry Alvis (2pm)
Earlswood Town vs Lane Head (2pm)
Knowle vs Sutton United (2pm)

Saturday's Birmingham FA Saturday Vase fixture:

Central Ajax vs Alcester Town (2pm)

Saturday's Worcestershire FA Saturday Cup fixtures:

Inkberrow vs Fairfield Villa (2pm)
New Dales Vale vs Redditch Borough (2pm)

In Division 3, with Central Ajax and Coventrians in cup action and AFC Solihull without a game, Wake Green Amateurs will be looking to take advantage at the top of the table when they travel to Enville Athletic. Two sides at the wrong end of the Division 3 table meet at Vale Stadium when Castle Vale Town host Leamington Hibernian, meanwhile Birmingham Tigers will be looking to move off the foot of the table when they host DSC United. There was sad news this week in Division 3 when it was confirmed that Coventry Dunlop had resigned from the competition with immediate effect. As a result their record has been expunged.

Saturday's Midland Football League Division 3 fixtures:

Balsall & Berkswell vs Continental Star (2pm)
Birmingham Tigers vs DSC United (2pm)
Castle Vale Town vs Leamington Hibernian (3pm)
Enville Athletic vs Wake Green Amateurs (2pm)
Solihull Sporting vs Sutton Rangers (2pm)