MFL Weekend Preview (FA Vase, Part One)

Allexton and New Parks V Clipstone

Allexton have had a challenging start to life in step six following promotion from the Leicestershire senior league last season. They have picked up one point from six matches so far in MFL Division One and will be looking for a result to give the squad some confidence. It’s been a tough schedule for the Leicester side who have played three teams currently in the play-off positions. 

​Ryan Charles is a player to watch who scored on the opening day of the season against Gornal Athletic.

Clipstone have been brilliant in UCL Division One and are one of the form teams in step six coming into this weekend. The visitors are coming off five straight wins in the league and will be a tough test for Allexton on Saturday. The Mansfield side have some momentum and will be fancying their chances of a run in the FA Vase this season.

Lewis Bingham is a player to watch who has three goals from five starts in the league. 

Alsager Town V Heather St John’s

Alsager Town are one of the form teams coming into this weekend and are currently top of the NWCL First Division South. The stoke side have won seven out of eight league matches under manager Luke Goddard and go into this match with some momentum. To be top of the league in a competitive division that includes the likes of Allscott Heath is testament to how well the squad is playing.

Alex Hughes is a player to watch up front who has a good record at this level.

Heather St John’s are also one of the form teams at step six coming into this match and have been brilliant in MFL Division One so far. The Leicester side have recorded five consecutive wins in the league and notably beat Nuneaton Town in mid-week. It’s a strong squad that have been building in step six since the start of last season.

Kyle Jardine is a player to watch who finished as the top scorer in division one last season.     

Bewdley Town V AFC Bridgnorth

Bewdley have bounced back following the disappointment of last season at step five where they finished bottom of the MFL Premier. It’s been an encouraging start for the Worcester side in the Hellenic League Division One with four wins from five matches to leave them in the play offs positions. Full credit to the people running the club for turning it around in the summer.    

Elliott Lees is a player to watch who has five goals from five starts in the league.

It’s been a challenging start for AFC Bridgnorth in MFL Division One. The Shropshire side have appointed Jasper Jones and Carlo Bandiera as their new management team, and it might take a while before things start to click. They have picked up no points so far from their five league matches. The aim for AFC Bridgnorth will be to finish above the bottom three come the end of the season.

Kaine Butler is a player to watch for the visitors who offers a threat up front. 

Bilston Town V Stafford Town

Bilston have had a fine start to the season in MFL Division One and are comfortably in mid table. The Steelmen have been building at step six over the last few seasons under manager Mike Dunn and will be looking to challenge for the play offs this season. The highlight so far was the 2-1 away win against Gornal Athletic at Garden Walk stadium. It’s a long season and it’s all about building for the months ahead.

Chris Bladen is a player to watch who joined the club from Cradley Town over the summer and has three goals so far.

Stafford Town have had a brilliant start to their season in NWCL First Division South and are currently in the play off positions. It’s been some turnaround over the summer with the side finishing 11th at the end of last season. Six wins from eight matches has put them in 2nd under manager Adam Wall. There one of the form teams in step six and could be a tough test for Bilston on Saturday.

Jayden Hunter is a player to watch who has six goals from seven starts.

Birstall United V Dunkirk

Birstall United have had a challenging start to the season in MFL Division one under new manager Paul Pallett and will be looking for a result at the weekend. The main problem has been at the back with 18 goals conceded from their last five matches. It’s been a different story up front where they have scored 12 goals so far. A bit of patience will be needed under the new management team.  

Aaron Preston is a player to watch for the Leicester side who has three goals from five starts.

Dunkirk have also had a difficult start to the season in UCL Division One. The Nottingham side are currently in the bottom three and have picked up two points from six matches. The visitors appointed Paul Rockley as their new manager over the summer and it might take a bit of time before things start to click and they get on a run of form. 

Jack Harrison is a player to watch who has three goals from five starts.

Blackstone V Saffron Dynamo

Blackstone have had a good start in UCL Division One with four wins from five matches to leave them in the play-off positions. A main strength for the Lincolnshire side has been at the back with only three goals conceded from five matches. Teams that are well organised at the back tend to do well in the FA Vase with Ingles reaching the first-round proper last season.

Scott Waumsley is a player to watch who has two goals from five appearances.

Saffron Dynamo have had a positive start to the season in MFL Division One. The Leicester side are unbeaten from their first six matches under manager Jacob Straw and notably beat Bilston Town last weekend 4-3. They have been a good addition to the MFL and are challenging at step six.

Mackenzie Armstrong is a player to watch with four goals from five matches.    

Chelmsley Town V Allscott Heath

Chelmsley will be looking to build on the positives of their 5-4 win against Birstall United last weekend. It’s been an ok start for the hosts who are above the bottom three and have been competitive in division one so far. Making Pack Meadow a tough place to go will be a key factor in their success this season.

Oliver Burgundy is a player to watch who scored a hat-trick last weekend.

Allscott Heath have had an ok start to life in NWCL First Division South since moving from the MFL over the summer. The Shropshire side have been competitive at step six since being promoted from the West Midlands Regional League a few seasons ago. They finished in the play offs in MFL Division one last season and are managed by Steve Rogers.  

Armando Wood is a player to watch who has three goals from five matches.  

Droitwich Spa V Nuneaton Griff

Droitwich have been one of the form teams at step six over the last month. The Worcester side have been brilliant in Hellenic League Division One since joining over the summer and are coming off five consecutive wins to start the season. They came narrowly close to going up in MFL Division One before losing in the play off final to OJM Black Country last season.

Alex Dugmore is a player to watch who has eight goals from five matches.

Nuneaton Griff have been competitive to start the season in division one and are comfortably in mid table going into the weekend. The Heartlanders have been good away from home so far with encouraging wins against Lutterworth Athletic and Paget Rangers. Droitwich Spa away is going to be a tough test on Saturday but they have an outside chance.

Dan Edmonds is a player to watch who can make things happen in the final third.

Ingles V Melton Town

Ingles have had a fine start to MFL Division One under new manager Adam Boulter and have been competitive in their five matches. The highlight of the season so far was the opening day win against Nuneaton Griff where they came back in the second half to win 4-2. There comfortably in mid table going into the weekend.

Jude Ayetine is a player to watch who scored in last weekend’s loss to Nuneaton Town.

Melton have had a good start to their season in UCL Premier Division North and are just outside the play off places. The Leicester side have been competitive at step five and are unbeaten from their first four matches. They have also done well in the FA cup where they have reached the first qualifying round and are due to play Hednesford next Saturday. They should be a tough test for Ingles.

Kairo Edwards-John is a player to watch for the visitors who has six goals from five starts.

Shifnal Town V Cradley Town

Shifnal have had an encouraging start to the season in both the MFL Premier and cup competitions. The Shropshire side are one point off the play offs in the league and are also through to the first qualifying round of the FA cup where they are due to play Wellingborough Town away next Saturday. It’s going to be interesting to see how they approach this match on Saturday against Cradley Town. 

Joe Ellis Cuff is a player to watch who scored in the 1-0 win over step four side Sutton Coldfield Town last weekend in the FA cup.

Cradley have started the season well in MFL Division one under new manager Stuart How and are challenging for the play offs. The Hammers have won four of their six matches in the league and should be a tough test for Shifnal Town tomorrow. They have some momentum and are coming off three consecutive wins in the league.

Brad Ward is a player to watch up front who has five goals to start the season.

Stapenhill V Pershore Town

Stapenhill will be looking to build on their eye catching 7-1 win against Wednesfield in mid-week with an upset in the FA Vase this weekend. The side from Burton have been fine in Division One and are comfortably in mid table with two wins, two draws and two losses. The Swans are unbeaten from their last four matches which will give them a bit of confidence going into Saturday.

Paul Hollis is a player to watch in goal who can keep Stapenhill in matches.

Pershore have had a tough start in the Hellenic League Premier Division and are currently outside the relegation places on goal difference. The Worcester side are yet to win from five league matches and have picked up two points so far. They will be hoping for a result on Saturday so that it can give them some confidence for the months ahead.

Aidan Clark is a player to watch who scored in the 3-2 loss at Hereford Pegasus last weekend. 

Wednesfield V Atherstone Town

Wednesfield have had a challenging start to the season in MFL Division One with three points from six matches. The main highlight so far was the 2-0 away win at Chelmsley Town and they are just above the bottom three going into this weekend. Sean Geddes has been appointed as their new manager and it might take a bit of time before things start to click.

Randane Larmond is a player to watch up front who impressed in the win against Chelmsley Town.

Atherstone Town have had an ok start to the season in the MFL Premier and there’s been some good wins along the way. The main highlight was beating AFC Wulfrunians in the FA cup and drawing with Dudley Town in the league. They will be looking to bounce back from a 6-0 home loss to NPL side Kidsgrove Athletic in the FA cup last weekend.

Ryan Harkin is a player to watch up front who has been brilliant at step five over the last few seasons.  

Preview feature written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League