MFL Weekend Preview (Premier Division)

Bewdley Town V Congleton Town

​Bewdley will be looking to get a result against Congleton Town this weekend to move up the table and out of the relegation zone. The hosts have had a difficult start to the season with four points from ten matches to sit 18th and two points off Wolverhampton Casuals in 16th. It’s a tough division this season but it only takes a few results to climb up the table.

Congleton are going into this match in an excellent run of form with 16 points from their last six matches. The visitors will be looking to get a result this weekend to challenge Studley at the top of the table. The Bears have been one of the standout teams in the division over the last few weeks and will want to keep their good form going.      

Dudley Town V Atherstone Town

Dudley Town are going into a big match this weekend against Atherstone Town at the Guardian Warehousing Arena. The Robins could do with a result to move out of the relegation zone and their home form will be pivotal in staying up at the end of the season. Harry Crook has impressed this season with seven goals from nine matches started in the league.

Atherstone Town are coming off a momentum building win against Northwich Victoria last weekend to record their first league win of the season. The Adders will want to build on that and get a result this weekend to move clear of the relegation zone. They currently sit 15th in the table with seven points from nine matches and are two points above Dudley Town in 17th. Kevin Hemagou is a player to watch for the visitors who impressed last weekend.          

Northwich Victoria V Romulus

Northwich Victoria have had an ok start to the season and are comfortably in mid table in 13th with 9 points from 8 matches. This could be a pivotal weekend for the Vics as a win would move them clear of the relegation places and further towards the play off places.

It’s a long season and if the club can get a run of form going throughout the months ahead, they could be a challenger for the play off positions. Samual Connor Unwin has stood out so far with five goals from seven matches started in the league.    

Romulus have had a positive start to the season and sit 7th with 15 points from nine matches. The visitor’s main strength has been their defensive record with only 11 goals conceded so far which is impressive. The Roms are challenging for the play offs and have got quality throughout the squad with Cameron Lee playing well at the back.   

Shifnal Town V Tividale

Shifnal have had a good start to the season and have been reliably consistent at home with three wins out of four in the league. They currently sit 5th with 16 points from eight matches and are competing for the play offs this season. Joe Ellis Cuff has impressed for the Shropshire club and has 9 goals from 8 matches started. He’s added to the squad since joining from Shawbury United in the summer. 

Tividale have grown into the season under new manager Stuart How and have played some good football this season. Their standout result away from home so far was the 3-0 win at Northwich Victoria back in September. The visitors will look to respond to the 6-1 defeat at Darlaston Town in mid-week and get a statement win against one of the form teams in the division. 

Stone Old Alleynians V Lichfield City

Stone Old Alleynians are coming off the back of an impressive win against Bewdley Town last weekend at Kings Park where they won 6-0. It’s been a positive start to the season, and they sit in mid table in 9th with 14 points from 11 matches. The Stoke based club have been tough to beat at home so far with only two losses from seven matches which has helped them move well clear of the relegation zone.

Lichfield are also coming off a momentum building win last weekend against Whitchurch Alport where they came back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 late on. The visitor’s main strength has been their consistency so far with only one loss from their eleven matches in the league. They are currently 6th in the table with 16 points from nine matches. Daniel Smith has been excellent up front with seven goals from eight matches and the team have scored 21 goals in total.    

Stourport Swifts V AFC Wulfrunians

Stourport will be looking to get a result at Walshes Meadow this weekend against AFC Wulfrunians. The Swifts lost to Shifnal Town last weekend to end an incredible run of seven matches unbeaten in the league.

​The club currently sit 4th in the table with 18 points from 10 matches and are competing for a play off spot. Their home form has been really good so far with four wins from four matches and has been their main strength this season.

AFC Wulfrunians will look to respond following a 6-0 loss against Wolverhampton Casuals last weekend at the Prestige Midlands Arena. The club are adjusting to a new manager in Carl Abbott, and it might take a bit of time before things start to click for the Wolverhampton club. The Wulfs are comfortably mid table so far in 11th with 13 points from 11 matches.   

Uttoxeter Town V Highgate United

Uttoxeter will look to get a result this weekend and respond to the loss at Tividale last Saturday. The club have had a positive season in general and are 8th with 15 points from 10 matches in the league. The Staffordshire club are unbeaten at the Oldfield Sports Ground this season and will look to get a statement win against tough opposition. Mikey Conlon is a player to watch with four goals from nine matches from midfield.

Highgate United have had a positive start to the season and are coming off an impressive win against Darlaston Town last weekend. The Gate are 3rd in the table with 20 points from ten matches in the league with their away form being a key strength so far with three wins from four matches. The defence has also stood out with only 13 goals conceded. Shay Palmer has impressed at the back and from set pieces.

Whitchurch Alport V Studley

Whitchurch will be looking to get a statement win this weekend at Yockings Park against the league leaders. The club have had an ok start to the season and sit comfortably in mid table in 12th with 11 points from ten matches. They have appointed Adam Shillcock as their new manager this week. Alex Hughes is a player to watch for the Shropshire club with four goals in eight matches started and leads the line well up front.

Studley have been one of the standout teams in the division so far and are in excellent form going into this match. The Bees have won five out of their last six matches in the league. Their only loss of the season so far came against Stone Old Alleynians at Kings Park. The team have scored the most goals in the league with a total of 30 and are top of the league with 22 points from nine matches.

Whitchurch can be a tough place to get a result and should be a challenge for the Bees this weekend.

Wolverhampton Casuals V Darlaston Town

Wolverhampton Casuals will want to build on their momentum building win against AFC Wulfrunians last weekend and get a result to move clear of the relegation zone. The Cassies sit 16th in the table with six points from nine matches and got their first win of the season last weekend. They face a tough match this weekend against Darlaston Town at Brinsford Stadium. Their home form is going to be crucial throughout the season to stay up and avoid relegation.

Darlaston have had a positive start to the season and are competing for a play off spot. Their away from has been good with only one loss from five matches and they will look to get a result this weekend. Their defence has been a key strength this season with only 15 goals conceded which has helped them challenge for the play offs. They also had a confidence building 6-1 win against Tividale in mid-week and will want to continue their good form against the Cassies. 

​Preview feature written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League