MFL Weekend Preview (Premier Division)

​Bewdley Town V Lichfield City

Bewdley host Lichfield City tomorrow afternoon looking to get a result to reduce the gap between themselves and 16th place Wolverhampton Casuals. The Worcester club currently have a 13-point gap to make up to have a chance of staying up come the end of the season.

They have struggled at home at Ribbesford Meadow this season with six consecutive losses in the league. On a positive they are better defensively at home compared to on the road with 25 goals conceded at home to 50 away from home.

None the less, they face a tough test tomorrow afternoon against one of the standout teams in the league.

Lichfield have been excellent so far and are comfortably in the play offs going into the final few months of the season. Their currently in 3rd on 39 points and have an 8-point gap between themselves and Stourport Swifts in 6th.

A play off appearance would be excellent for Lichfield. However, they could be eyeing up the top three to set up a home semi-final appearance. Their currently unbeaten at the Trade Tyre Community Stadium so a home play-off match could make a big difference come late April.

Their away form is solid with just two losses from eight matches, but their home form is undoubtedly their main strength.   

There’s quality throughout the squad with Daniel Smith standing out up front and getting 25 goals in all competitions.

Darlaston Town V Highgate United

Darlaston will be looking for a statement result against fellow play off rival Highgate United tomorrow afternoon. The Citizens are challenging for the play offs going into late January and are in a good position in the league. Their currently in 5th with 33 points and are two points better off than Stourport Swifts in 6th who have a game in hand.

Their home form at the Paycare Stadium has been their main strength which has pushed them up the table. Seven wins from ten home matches is excellent in a tough division.

Rivel Mardenborough is a player to watch who is always a threat on the wings.

Highgate United are challenging for the play offs and are in a good position in the league. The Gate are in 4th with 35 points and have a four-point gap over Stourport Swifts in 6th. Similar to Lichfield, the visitors will be looking for a top three finish to set up a home play off semi-final.

Their away form is still good though with four wins from seven matches.

Shay Palmer is a player to watch at the back who organises the team well. He leads one of the best defences in the division with just 21 goals conceded. 

Dudley Town V Stone Old Alleynians

Dudley Town will be looking to continue their recent run of form against Stone Old Alleynians at the Guardian Warehousing Arena tomorrow afternoon. The Robins have been excellent throughout the last month and have picked up 13 points from their last six league matches.

They are now in 14th with 18 points and have a five-point difference over Tividale in 17th. The Robins have really grown into the season and are getting more competitive at step five by the week. 

Their home form has been good throughout the season with just three losses from nine matches. None the less, the Robins have made it a fortress over the last few weeks with wins against Lichfield City and Highgate United.

Connor Armstrong is a player to watch from midfield who has that quality on the ball to create chances in the final third.

Stone Old Alleynians are comfortably in mid table going into this match. The Stoke based club are in 12th with 20 points and have some breathing room over the relegation places.

A key feature of the team away from home has been how tough they have been to break down and beat. 10 goals conceded and just three losses from eight matches have put the visitors in a mid-table position going into the final few months of the season.

The visitors play well as a collective away from home and tend to be well organised off the ball. A key player for them is Matt Taylor from defensive midfield who can link up the play well.

Shifnal Town V Northwich Victoria

Shifnal have been hit and miss this season but are comfortably in mid table. The Shropshire club are in 9th with 26 points and have a seven-point gap to make up to reach the play offs which is not out of the question if they can get a run of form going.

They have identical home and away records going into this weekend with four wins, one draw and five losses.

Joe Ellis Cuff is a player to watch with 17 goals in all competitions for the hosts.

Northwich are in mid table going into this match and it’s been a transitional season for the Vics so far since being transferred to the MFL over the summer. Their currently in 13th and have a five-point gap over the relegation places with a few games in hand over some of the teams around them.

Their away form has been an issue, and they are yet to win on the road from nine games. A comfortable mid table finish where they can build for next season will be the aim between now and April. It’s just making sure they don’t get dragged into a relegation battle.

In a team that has struggled for goals with a total of 23, Samual Connor Unwin has led the front line well and has 11 goals in all competitions.

Stourport Swifts V Atherstone Town

Stourport have been brilliant in the premier division and are competing in both the league and the FA Vase. The Swifts have an eye-catching home tie in the last 16 of the FA Vase against tournament favourites Worcester City on the 10th February and are currently competing for the play offs.

Their two points off Darlaston Town in 5th and have a game in hand over the Citizens. The club’s home form at Walshes Meadow has been their main strength where they are unbeaten from eight matches.

A player to watch is Ben Jevons at the back who is having an under the radar season.

Atherstone have been playing well over the last few weeks and are dark horses for the play offs. 13 points from their last six matches has put the Adders in 10th with 26 points and they have a seven-point gap to make up to finish in the top five.

It feels like the club has grown into the season and are going in the right direction since the appointment of Mitch Thomson last month. If they can continue their recent form the play offs are not out of the question. 

Lewis Collins is a player to watch up front who has that ruthlessness in the box to take chances and make the difference. He was excellent at step six Hinckley AFC last season with 20 goals scored and looks a good signing for Atherstone.

Studley V Congleton Town

Studley play top of the table Congleton Town at the Studley Sports Centre tomorrow afternoon. It’s been a brilliant season by the Bees so far and their challenging for the play offs.

Their currently in 2nd with 40 points and have a 9-point gap over Stourport Swifts in 6th. Consolidating a position in the play offs will be the aim between now and late April. 

Their home form has been reliably good throughout the season with nine wins from 13 matches.

Andre Landell is a player to watch who has recently signed for the club and is a smart addition to the squad.

Congleton have been excellent in step five and are challenging for the league title. The Bears are in 1st with 50 points and have a ten-point gap over Studley in 2nd. The visitors are in an excellent position to win the league and gain promotion to step four this season.

Their away form has been good with just three losses from nine matches. They also have one of the best defences in the league with just 20 goals conceded.

Darren Chadwick is a player to watch at the back who has played well throughout the season.

Uttoxeter Town V Tividale

Uttoxeter have a big match against Tividale at the Oldfield Sports Ground tomorrow afternoon. It’s been a good season from the Staffordshire side so far and they’re not too far from the play offs. They are currently in 8th and have a five-point gap to make up to get in the top five.

Their home form has been their main strength with just one loss from nine matches which is an incredible achievement from a club that was battling near the bottom of the league last season.

None the less, this feels like a big match if they want to challenge for the play offs.

Tom Thorley is a player to watch who has played well at the back this season.

Tividale are involved in a relegation battle to stay in the league and its’ going to be a big few months to see if they can stay in step five. Their currently in 17th with 13 points and have a four-point gap to make up to achieve safety.

Their away form has been a problem with just one win from nine matches on the road. If they could pick up a few results away it will give them a good chance of staying up, so this feels like a big match for the visitors.

One of the positives is that there’s quality in the squad with the likes of Ewan Edwards and Ryan Snape. If they can tighten up at the back and take their chances, they have a chance of avoiding relegation.  

Whitchurch Alport V Romulus

Whitchurch have been solid in the premier division and are in lower mid table. They are currently in 15th with 18 points and have a five-point gap over the relegation places. The main aim between now and late April will be to stay in the division and finish in mid table.

Their home form has been good throughout the season with just two losses from eight matches at Yockings Park.

Jack Sheward is a player to watch in goal who was a key part of the club’s run in the FA Vase where they reached the last 32 before bowing out to Great Wakering Rovers.

Romulus are comfortably in mid table going into this match. Similar to Shifnal and Atherstone, they are dark horses for the play offs if they can get a run of form going over the next few months. The Roms are 11th in the table with 25 points and are eight points outside the play off places.

Their away form has been ok with four losses from ten matches. They notably beat Shifnal Town away from home which shows their capable of picking up a result tomorrow afternoon.

Cameron Lee is a player to watch at the back for the visitors.

Wolverhampton Casuals V AFC Wulfrunians

Wolverhampton Casuals will be looking for a result tomorrow afternoon to create a bit of distance between themselves and Tividale in 17th. The Cassies are currently in 16th going into this weekend and have a four-point gap over Tividale who also have a game in hand.

Their home form at Brinsford Stadium has been ok with one win and three draws from eight matches.

The main aim for the Cassies is staying up and finishing above the bottom two would be a successful season.

Josh McKenzie has recently been signed to lead the line up front and is a player to watch in this match.

AFC Wulfrunians are another club that are challenging for the play offs. The Wulfs are currently in 7th with 31 points and have a two-point gap to make up over Darlaston in 5th.

The Wulfs have played a few more games than the teams around them. None the less, if they can pick up points, they can put pressure on the likes of Stourport so matches like this could be crucial.

Their away form has been hit and miss throughout the season with five wins and five losses from twelves matches.

Lee Chilton is a player to watch in the final third who has that quality on the ball to create chances for the visitors.

Preview feature written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League