MFL Weekend Preview (Premier Division)

AFC Wulfrunians V Wolverhampton Casuals

​AFC Wulfrunians are going into this match following a 1-1 draw against Highgate United last weekend. The Wulfs appointed Carl Abbott as their new manager last week to replace Craigg Gregg who resigned following a challenging run of form in the league. The club have been ok this season and are mid table in 10th with 13 points from 10 matches and only two points off the play offs.   

Wolverhampton Casuals have had a difficult start to the season and look to be in a relegation battle in a tough division this season. The Cassies are bottom of the league with 3 points from 8 matches and could do with a result to push up the table. One of the positives for the visitors is that they are only two points off Tividale in 14th. The squad is also a young team that will hopefully get better as the season goes on.    

Atherstone Town V Northwich Victoria

Atherstone Town have had a challenging start to the season following the promise shown last season in both the league and FA Vase. The Adders currently sit 16th in the table with four points from eight matches in the league and are yet to win a game. The club are currently searching for a new manager following the end of Jamie Hood’s tenure as manager last week. One of the positives for Adders supporters is the form of Kevin Hemagou who has scored three goals in five games in the league.

Following a difficult start to the season, Northwich Victoria are starting to build some momentum. The Vics have picked up seven points from their last three matches in the league and will look to get a result at the weekend to climb up the table. They are currently 13th with 9 points from seven matches played and are growing into the season.  

Congleton Town V Dudley Town

Congleton have been growing into the season and gradually getting better with each match. The Bears started the season a bit slowly but have had an excellent run of form throughout September to climb up the league. The club have picked up 13 points from their last five matches to move up to 3rd with 17 points from nine matches. Daniel Needham has played well with five goals from nine matches started in the division.

Dudley have had an ok start to life in the premier division following promotion from division one last season. They are currently in 15th with five points from nine matches. The highlight of the season so far is the win against Bewdley in August where the Robins won 5-0. Harry Crook has impressed with seven goals from nine matches started in the division. They got a notable draw against Romulus in mid-week where Harry Crook scored a late equaliser.    

Highgate United V Darlaston Town

Highgate United have had a fine start to the season and are 4th with 17 points from nine matches. The Gate are coming off a 3-2 loss against Stourport Swifts in mid-week and have a difficult match against Darlaston Town this weekend at the Coppice. The club’s form at home this season has been good so far with only one defeat from five matches in the league.

Darlaston Town are starting to build some momentum and have played well throughout September. The club have picked up 11 points from their last five matches in the division and are coming off an excellent 4-3 win against Shifnal Town in mid-week. They are currently 7th with 13 points from seven matches and only two points off the play offs.

Lichfield City V Whitchurch Alport

Lichfield have had a positive start to the season and are in 8th with 13 points from 8 matches. The club’s home form has been good so far with 8 points from four matches which has included notable wins against Congleton Town and Wolverhampton Casuals. Daniel Smith has impressed with five goals from seven matches in the division.

Whitchurch have had a challenging month in the league with four points from their last five matches in the premier division. The club have admittedly played a difficult run of teams throughout this month such as Congleton Town and Darlaston Town. They currently sit 12th in the table with 11 points from nine matches. One of the positives for the club is Alex Hughes who has played well and scored 3 goals from seven matches started.  

Shifnal Town V Stourport Swifts

Shifnal have had a positive start to the season and are in 7th with 13 points from seven matches in the league. The club are challenging for the play offs and have played well throughout the season with four wins in total. Their home form has been good so far in the league with two wins from three matches. Joe Ellis Cuff has impressed with eight goals from six matches started in the division.

Stourport have had an excellent start to the season and are in 2nd with 18 points from nine matches. The Swifts are unbeaten in seven matches in the division and their last lost was back in August away to Studley 7-1 at the Studley Sports Centre. The form and character shown since that defeat has been incredible from Stourport and it should be an exciting season for Swifts supporters.     

Stone Old Alleynians V Bewdley Town

Stone Old Alleynians have started the season well and are comfortably in mid table in 11th with 11 points from 10 matches in a competitive division. The club have performed admirably and competed well to sit in mid table. They have managed to take points off the tougher teams at Kings Park this season which includes winning against Studley and drawing against Congleton.

Bewdley have had a tough start to the season and are currently in 17th with four points from nine matches in the league. The club are coming off tough results against Studley in the league and Hinckley in the FA Vase and will be looking to get a result this weekend to move up the table. One of the positives for the visitors has been Ben Worthington who has scored six goals from 8 matches started in the division.   

Studley V Romulus

Studley have been sensational so far this season and are currently top of the league with 19 points from 8 matches. They are currently unbeaten at home in the league from four matches and are the division’s top scorers with 27 goals. The defence has also played well with only 10 goals conceded so far which has helped to push them up the table. Tyler Bruck has played well with four goals from seven matches started in the division.

Romulus have started the season well under Neil Tooth and are 6th in the table with 15 points from eight matches in the division. The defence has got the best record in the division with only 8 goals conceded which is excellent. The Roms have been a tough team to beat this season with only one loss in the league which was against an in-form Stourport Swifts at CV stadium.  Luke Keen has also impressed for the Roms up front with three goals from five matches started.

Tividale V Uttoxeter Town

Tividale have had an ok start to the season and sit 14th with five points from eight matches in the league. The team have shown a lot of promise under new manager Stuart How so far and the highlight was the huge win against Northwich Victoria 3-0 a few weeks back. The club also drew with Stourport Swifts at the Beeches earlier in the month which is encouraging. Their home form could be crucial in finishing comfortably mid table and avoiding a relegation battle. 

Uttoxeter have had a positive start to the season and have played well to sit 5th in the table with 15 points from 9 matches. They are coming off the back of a thrilling 3-3 draw with Lichfield City at the Oldfield Sports Ground in mid-week and their form throughout September has been good. The club have picked up 11 points from six matches in the league this month. They should prove a tough test for Tividale this weekend and will look to get a result to continue their push for the play offs. 

Preview feature written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League