MFL Weekend Preview (FA Vase, Part Two)

​AFC Liverpool V Northwich Victoria (Friday, 8pm Kick off)

AFC Liverpool have started the season well in the NWCL Premier Division under manager Phil Stafford. They have won three out of five league matches and went on a decent run in the FA cup before bowing out to NCEL premier division side Campion last weekend. They will be looking to bounce back from a 2-0 away loss to Bury in mid-week but it’s been an encouraging start.

Caleb Jones is a player to watch who has impressed up front with three goals scored.

Northwich Victoria have had an ok start in the MFL Premier and are building under manager Matt Barnes. The Vics started the season well with wins against Squires Gate (FA cup) and Uttoxeter Town (League). They competed well in the FA cup before losing in a replay to Barnoldswick Town 4-2 in mid-week. They will be looking for a result this evening to build some momentum.

Sam Unwin is a player to watch who offers a threat up front and has two goals so far.   

Brocton V OJM Black Country

Brocton have had an encouraging start to life at step five following promotion from the NWCL first division south last season. The Staffordshire side have been competitive under manager Alex Curtis and narrowly lost in the FA cup last weekend to NPL side Coleshill Town 1-0 at Silkmore Lane. They had a good run in the FA vase last season where they reached the second round proper.

Christian Blanchette is a player to watch who has scored four goals from four starts.

OJM Black Country are another side that have adapted well to the MFL Premier following promotion from division one last season where they went up through the play offs. There currently unbeaten from two matches in the league and have four points to sit in the play-off places.

Callum Nimmo is a player to watch who has impressed at the back for the visitors.   

Market Drayton Town V Studley

Market Drayton Town have had an encouraging start in the NWCL First Division South following the challenges of last season where they finished 18th in the same division. It’s been a brilliant turnaround for the Shropshire side and full credit to the people at the club and their manager Dan Dawson. There comfortably in mid table and only five points off the play off places.

Nicky Parker is a player to watch who has scored three goals from six starts.

Studley have had a tough start to the season at step five following last season’s play off push. The Bees came agonisingly close to the play offs before missing out to Highgate. There’s been some player turnover over the summer, and it’s been a difficult start as a result. None the less, the squad can turn it around and a result tomorrow would give them confidence.   

John Mills is a player to watch who has that quality from midfield.

Southam United V Wolverhampton Casuals

Southam United have had a difficult start in the Hellenic League Division One with one win from five matches to leave them just outside the relegation zone. The main positive for the Warwickshire side is getting a 1-0 win against Wantage Town last weekend which should help them going into tomorrow’s match. They will be hoping of an upset against the MFL Premier side.

Lewis Alton is a player to watch for the hosts who scored the winner last weekend.

Wolverhampton Casuals got a result last weekend against play off chasing Stourport Swifts to settle into the season in the MFL Premier. An encouraging 1-1 draw will give them some belief going into this weekend under new manager Chris Hipkin. They could go on a run this season in the FA Vase if it all clicks in front of goal. 

Tom Cottam is a player to watch for the visitors who impressed last season at step five.

Wakefield AFC V 1874 Northwich

Wakefield have had a challenging start in NCEL Division One and are just above the relegation zone. They have one win from four matches so far in the league with the main highlight being the 1-0 away win at Dronfield Town. It’s going to be a tough test against 1874 Northwich tomorrow, but the step six side will be hoping to cause a huge upset.

Morgan James is a player to watch who scored a late goal in their win against Dronfield Town.

1874 Northwich have started the season well following the challenges of last season where they were relegated from NPL Division One West. It’s been a smooth start to life at step five under manager Chris Herbert with six points from two league matches and a good run in the FA cup. The Greens have reached the first qualifying round where they play Stocksbridge Park Steels at home. 

Joel Jones is a player to watch up front who has scored two goals from four starts.    

Westfields V AFC Wulfrunians

Westfields have been ok in the premier division of the Hellenic League and are in mid table after four matches. The Herefordshire side have picked up four points so far with the main highlight being a 2-0 home win against Pershore Town. They recently ran step four side Newcastle Town close in the FA cup before narrowly losing 3-2 in a replay. They could be a tough test for AFC Wulfrunians.

Daniel Stoneman is a player to watch who has two goals from five starts.

AFC Wulfrunians have settled into the season well under new manager John Griffiths and have been competitive at step five. The MFL premier side notably beat Atherstone Town 3-0 away from home to start the season and got a point against OJM Black Country at home which finished 1-1. There’s a lot of players in the squad who impressed for the likes of Wednesfield and Wolves Sporting last season.

Reagan Wardle is a player to watch who can make things happen in the final third.   

Preview feature written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League