MFL Weekend Preview (FA Vase, third round proper)

Ashby Ivanhoe V Tividale

Ashby Ivanhoe have adapted well to step five football in the United Counties League. The Knights were promoted last season from MFL Division One and won the play off final against Droitwich Spa to reach the premier division north. Their currently 11th in the table with 16 points from 12 matches and have competed well against some quality teams.

Their main strength has been at home with two losses from seven matches in the league. The Knights have made the NFU Sports Ground a bit of a fortress which has helped them in both the league and the FA Vase.  

This is the club’s first appearance in the third round of the FA Vase, and it’s been a brilliant run so far from the Leicestershire side. They beat North West Counties League Division One South leaders Brocton in the previous round 5-3 and have also beaten Belper United and Bilston Town to reach this stage.

Their recent form in the league is a bit patchier with six points from their last six matches. However, when looking at the season in general it’s been brilliant so far. Sam Grouse is a player to watch who has 19 goals in all competitions this season.

Tividale have benefited from an excellent run in the FA Vase this season. The club have struggled in the MFL Premier and are in 16th with 10 points from 13 matches. Hopefully the FA Vase run will aid them in their goal to stay up.  

Despite having a challenging season in the league, their run in the FA Vase should give the squad a bit of confidence for the rest of the season. They have beaten Shirebrook Town, Wisbech United and Shawbury United to reach this stage of the competition.      

It’s going to be a tough match tomorrow with Tividale’s away form being a problem with just one win from seven league matches. However, they beat Wisbech United away in the first round on penalties so their capable of causing an upset. Dominic Dell is a player to watch with 8 goals in all competitions.  

Biggleswade United V Whitchurch Alport

Biggleswade have been good in the premier division of the Spartan South Midlands League and are challenging for the play offs. Their 6th in the table with 27 points from 16 matches and have three games in hand over FC Romania in 5th on 33 points.

Their home form at the Verdant Stadium has been solid with just three losses from ten matches in the league. However, they have conceded more goals at home than on the road with 22 compared to 13. The Bedfordshire side have struggled in the league recently with six points from their last six league matches.

They beat Real Bedford in the previous round in a thriller that was decided on penalties. It was a statement win from Biggleswade with Real Bedford top of the premier division of the Spartan South Midlands League with 43 points from 16 matches.

Coree Wilson is a player to watch with 15 goals in all competitions.

Whitchurch Alport have struggled in the MFL Premier this season and are in 15th with 12 points from 13 matches. The Shropshire side have been a mixed bag on the road with two wins from seven matches in the league. Despite having a challenging season, their run in the FA Vase should give the squad a bit of confidence for the rest of the campaign.

The visitors have beaten a variety of quality teams from steps five and six to reach this stage. This includes beating Lutterworth Athletic, Worcester Raiders and Wednesfield. They will go into this match as underdogs but it’s a good opportunity to test themselves against quality opposition.     

Eastwood Community V Stourport Swifts

Eastwood have been brilliant in the premier division north of the United Counties League and are challenging for the play offs. The Nottingham side are 4th in the table with 29 points from 14 matches and have two games in hand over play off rivals Skegness Town who are in 5th and a point behind them.

Their form at Coronation Park has been a strength with four wins from five matches in the league. Eastwood’s recent form is impressive with 13 points from their last six matches and their on a five game unbeaten run in the league. Tyler Blake is a player to watch with 14 goals in all competitions.

They beat Dudley Town in the previous round and beat Cogenhoe United and Southwell City to get to the third round.

​Stourport have been excellent in the MFL Premier and are challenging for the play offs. The Swifts are in 7th with 24 points from 14 matches and level on points with Darlaston Town in 5th who have a better goal difference.

Their away record has been hit and miss with one loss from seven matches but drawing four of those. They got an excellent away win at AFC Wulfrunians in the previous round which should give Stourport supporters hope of causing an upset tomorrow. The visitors will go into this match as marginal underdogs but are capable of getting through to the fourth round.

It’s been an excellent run so far with the standout result being the home win against Sherwood Colliery in the first round.     

Highgate United V Lichfield City

Highgate have been excellent in the MFL Premier division and are challenging for the league. The Gate are in 3rd with 29 points from 13 matches and are challenging the likes of Congleton and Lichfield City at the top of the division.

The Solihull side have got the best defence in the league with just 16 goals conceded. Their record at the Coppice has been brilliant with five wins from eight matches and just one loss. Ryan Harkin is a player to watch up front who has eight goals in all competitions this season.

They beat Pinchbeck United in the previous round and avoided a potential upset with the Lincolnshire side leading at half time.

Lichfield have also been brilliant in the MFL Premier division and are involved in a title race with Congleton. Their 2nd in the table with 32 points from 15 matches and got a crucial win against Uttoxeter Town last weekend to close the gap on Congleton at the top of the division.

Their away record has been good with just one loss from seven matches and the character of the squad has been a key strength this season. In their last away match they scored a late equaliser against Stourport Swifts to get a point.

The Staffordshire side have the second best defence in the division with 17 goals conceded. Dan Smith is a player to watch up front who has 19 goals in all competitions.

The visitors have had an excellent run in the FA Vase and have beaten Newark and Sherwood United, Romulus, Alsager Town and Heather St John’s to reach the third round.

With both defences playing well and looking solid at the back, this has the potential be a tight match tomorrow that could go the distance and be decided on penalties.   

Lincoln United V Congleton Town

Lincoln have been excellent in the premier division north of the United Counties League and are challenging for the league title alongside Sherwood Colliery. Their currently in 2nd with 36 points from 14 matches and have a game in hand over Sherwood at the top of the table with 41 points.

Their record at home has been outstanding with seven wins from seven matches and just two goals conceded at Ashby Avenue. They also have the best defence in the league with just seven goals conceded. Matt Cotton is a player to watch who has 17 goals in all competitions.

Their recent form in the league has been incredible with six wins from six matches and no goals conceded in a competitive division. The Whites beat Heanor Town in the previous round and have also beaten Bugbrooke St Michaels and Newark Town to reach this stage of the FA Vase.    

Congleton have been brilliant in the MFL Premier since being transferred from the premier division of the North West Counties League over the summer. The Bears have grown into the season and are currently top of the table with 35 points from 16 matches.

Their away record has been good with just three losses from nine matches and four wins. The Bears’ main strength has been at home so it could be a tough test for them tomorrow afternoon against an in-form side. The Chesire side have been excellent recently with 15 points from their last six matches.

They beat Loughborough Students at home in the previous round to reach this stage.

This is shaping up to be a brilliant match in the FA vase tomorrow and one of the standout ties from the third round.    

Preview feature written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League