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

​Highgate United V Pinchbeck United

Highgate have been one of the standout teams in the premier division of the MFL and are having an excellent season in both the league and the FA Vase. The Gate have a brilliant record at the Coppice with just one loss from eight matches. Their 2nd in the table with 29 points from 13 matches and have two games in hand over Congleton Town.

The hosts have picked up 13 points from their last six matches and come into this tie in a good run of form. They beat Kimberley Miners Welfare away in the previous round to reach this stage of the competition. Kartel O’Neil Martin is a player to watch who has five goals from ten matches in the league.

Pinchbeck United have had a challenging season so far in the premier division north of the United Counties League. The Lincolnshire side are bottom of the division in 18th with 6 points from 15 matches. They did not play in any of the previous rounds of the FA Vase this season. Andre Williams is a player to watch for the visitors who has five goals from 15 matches in the league.

Newark and Sherwood United V Lichfield City

Newark and Sherwood United have been ok in the premier division north of the United Counties League and are comfortably in mid table. The Highwaymen are in 15th with 12 points from 13 matches and six points clear of the relegation place.

Their record at home has been a mixed bag with just one loss from six matches. However, they have drawn four of those matches. Goal scoring has been a big issue for the club this season with just 14 goals in the league.

They beat Wellingborough Town in a thrilling match at home 4-3 in the previous round to reach this stage of the competition. One of the key positives for Newark and Sherwood is their recent form in the league. The Highwaymen are unbeaten in their last six league matches which could make it a tough place to go for Lichfield tomorrow.   

Lichfield have been excellent this season in both the league and the FA Vase. They currently have the best form in the premier division with 16 points from their last six matches. The visitors are currently in 3rd with 28 points from 13 matches and have played well this season.

Their away form has been good so far with just one loss from six matches. Another key strength has been their defensive record which is currently the best in the premier division with only 15 goals conceded.

They beat Romulus in the previous round at home 4-1 to reach this stage of the competition. Their previous away match in the FA Vase was against Alsager Town in the second qualifying round which they won on penalties. Daniel Smith is a player to watch for the visitors who is the top goal scorer in the premier division with 14 goals from 12 matches in the league.  

Tividale V Shirebrook Town

Tividale have had a challenging season in the premier division of the MFL and are currently involved in a relegation battle to stay in the division. They are in 16th with 9 points from 12 matches and only four points above Dudley Town in 17th.

One of the positives for Tividale is the team showing moments of quality in the league. The main highlights so far have been the wins against Uttoxeter Town (home) and Northwich Victoria (away) and their run in the FA Vase.

Ryan Snape departing the club to join Lye Town is going to be a big loss as he had that quality on the ball to open defences and make something happen in the final third.

Tividale beat Wisbech Town away in the previous round on penalties to reach this stage of the competition. Joe Burroughs is a player to watch at the back who reads the game well.  

Shirebrook Town have been excellent in division one of the Northern Counties East League this season and are pushing for the play offs. The Derbyshire club are in 4th with 39 points from 19 matches and they have lost only four matches in the league.

They beat Pershore Town from a league higher up in the previous round 5-0 away from home. Kieren Watson is a player to watch for the visitors who has 23 goals in the league and is the top goal scorer in the division.

The visitors have had an excellent season and could cause an upset on Saturday against a team a division above them.    

Whitchurch Alport V Lutterworth Athletic

Whitchurch have struggled in the premier division of the MFL so far this season. The Shropshire club are in 14th with 11 points from 12 matches and 6 points above the relegation places. They have struggled at home so far in the league with one win from five matches at Yockings Park.

One of the positives for Whitchurch has been their run in the FA Vase this season. They beat Worcester Raiders 7-0 at home in the previous round to reach this stage of the competition. Alex Hughes is a player to watch with six goals from 11 league matches.

Lutterworth Athletic have been ok in Division One of the United Counties League and are in lower mid table. The visitors are in 17th with 15 points from 15 matches and six points above the relegation places. Their away form has been decent for a team struggling near the bottom of the table. They have 14 points from 13 matches with only two of their matches at home so far this season.

The club play in a division lower than Whitchurch and have done well to reach this stage of the competition. They notably beat Ardley United of the Combined Counties League (Premier) at home in the previous round and Skegness Town away from home in the second qualifying round.

It’s been an excellent run, and they could cause another shock at Yockings Park this weekend.     

Wolverhampton Casuals V Worcester City

Wolverhampton Casuals have played well over the last month and picked up some big results to climb out of the relegation places. The Cassies are 15th in the premier division of the MFL and have 10 points from 11 matches. The highlights so far have included notable away wins against AFC Wulfrunians and Romulus in the league.

They beat Whittlesea Athletic in the previous round to reach this stage of the competition. Tom Cottam is a player to watch who has four goals from seven matches for the Cassies.

Worcester City have been one of the standout teams in the Hellenic Football League this season and are currently top of the premier division with 37 points from 14 matches. They have been excellent so far in both the league and the FA Vase and will be a tough test for Wolverhampton Casuals tomorrow. Their away form in the league has been impressive with six wins from six matches and 20 goals scored.

The visitors beat Sleaford Town of the United Counties League at home in the previous round to reach this stage of the competition. Liam Lockett is a player to watch for Worcester who has 12 goals from 14 league matches and is the second highest goal scorer in the premier division.    

Preview feature written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League