MFL Weekend Preview (FA Vase, second round proper) (Part One)

​AFC Wulfrunians V Stourport Swifts

AFC Wulfrunians have been playing well in the premier division of the MFL over the last few weeks. The Wulfs have been building some momentum since the appointment of Carl Abbott in early October and have climbed up the table. The hosts are in 7th with 20 points from 15 matches and just two points off the play offs.

They have struggled at home so far this season with just six goals scored at Castlecroft in the league from seven matches. None the less, they have picked up seven points from their last four matches. This is the club’s first match in the FA Vase this season and they did not play in any of the previous rounds. Ben Worthington is a player to watch who impressed at Bewdley Town before joining AFC Wulfrunians last month.

Stourport Swifts have had a good season in the premier division of the MFL and are challenging for the play offs. The Swifts are currently in 5th with 22 points from 12 matches and have played well for large parts of the season so far. Their main strength has been at home with five wins from six matches in the league. Their record on the road has been patchier with six points from six matches.

The visitors got an excellent win in the previous round of the FA Vase. They beat Sherwood Colliery at home 2-1 which involved an outstanding winning goal from Adam Hanson to reach the second round. Benjamin Tilbury is a player to watch for the Swifts who has five goals from 11 matches in the league.    

Boston Town V Stone Old Alleynians

Boston Town have had an ok season in the Premier Division North of the United Counties League and are comfortably in mid table. The Poachers are 12th in the table with 14 points from 13 matches and well clear of the solitary relegation place with an 8-point gap over Pinchbeck United in 18th.

Their record at home has been one of their strengths this season with 14 points from 8 matches in the league. They have struggled on the road with five consecutive losses in the league. None the less, they did get an excellent away win at Ingles in the previous round of the FA Vase to reach this stage where they won 3-2.

There’s quality throughout the team and their capable of giving Stone Old Alleynians some problems tomorrow. Marshall Young is a player to watch up front who has four goals from 12 matches.

Stone Old Alleynians have been good in the premier division of the MFL this season and are comfortably in mid table in 11th with 14 points from 13 matches. The visitors are well clear of any relegation worries and have 9 points more than Dudley Town in 17th.

Despite struggling for results away from home, Stone Old Alleynians have been difficult to break down with just seven goals conceded from five away matches. They got an impressive win away at Hinckley AFC in the previous round to reach this stage of the competition.    

Congleton Town V Loughborough Students

Congleton Town have been one of the standout teams in the MFL this season and are currently top of the premier division with 32 points from 15 matches. The Bears main strength has been at Booth Street where their currently unbeaten with six wins from six matches. Daniel Needham is a player to watch who has played well up front and has nine goals from 15 matches.

Congleton did not play in any previous rounds of the FA Vase this season. They had an excellent run last season where they reached the semi-finals before bowing out to Newport Pagnell Town on penalties. The club is one of the best supported teams at step five and consistently get above 300 supporters at home which can make it a tough place to go for visiting teams.

Loughborough Students have had a good season in the premier division north of the United Counties League and are competing for the play offs. The visitors are only three points off the play offs and are in 7th with 20 points from 14 matches.

Their home form has been their main strength with just one loss from seven matches. Loughborough’s away form has been a mixed bag with just one win from seven matches. However, they have been tough to break down with just eight goals conceded on the road.

The visitors beat Gedling Miners Welfare away in the previous round to reach this stage of the competition. Dylan Edwards is a player to watch who has six goals from 11 league matches.

Eastwood Community V Dudley Town

Eastwood have had a brilliant season in the Premier Division North of the United Counties league and are pushing for the play offs. The hosts are in 5th with 23 points from 12 matches and have lost just three matches in the league.

They beat Cogenhoe United away in the previous round 3-1 to reach this stage of the competition. Kyle William Tomlin is a player to watch for Eastwood who has nine goals from 12 matches.

Dudley Town had had a challenging season in the premier division of the MFL since being promoted from division one last season. The Robins are in 17th with 5 points from 12 matches and four points off safety. The visitors have struggled away from home this season and have lost all seven of their matches in the league.

None the less, they have played well in the FA Vase and caused a bit of an upset in the last round by beating Darlaston Town on penalties. Despite the league position, there’s quality in the team and Connor Armstrong is a player to watch who played well in the win against Darlaston.   

Hallam V Atherstone Town

Hallam have been good in the premier division of the Northern Counties East league this season and are comfortably in mid table. The Sheffield club are in 10th with 23 points from 15 matches. Their coming off a brilliant away win at Albion Sports in mid-week and are only six points off the play offs. The hosts have been good at home with three wins from five matches in the league.

The Countrymen beat Coventry United in the previous round 5-1 to reach this stage of the competition with Luca Defalco getting a hat trick in that match.

Atherstone Town have been ok in the premier division of the MFL and are well clear of any relegation worries. The Adders are in 12th with 13 points from 13 matches and eight points clear of the relegation places. Their away form has been a challenge with just one win from six matches with the solitary win coming against Dudley Town at the Guardian Warehousing Arena.

The visitors did not play in any of the previous rounds of the FA Vase. They had an excellent run last season where they reached the quarter finals before bowing out to Newport Pagnell Town away on penalties.    

Preview feature written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League