MFL Weekend Preview (Premier Division)

1874 Northwich V Lichfield City

1874 Northwich open the season with a home match against last season’s play-off finalists Lichfield City at the Offside Trust Stadium. The Cheshire club have been building over the summer under manager Chris Herbert and will be aiming to challenge at step five following the challenges of last season which resulted in relegation from the NPL.

The Greens will be looking to build on last weekend’s result where they beat Stockport Town in the Extra Preliminary round of the FA cup.

​It’s been a busy summer for Lichfield since missing out on promotion in the play-off final to Darlaston Town. There’s been some good additions to strengthen the squad such as James Wilcock coming in from Highgate United and the spine of the team remains with the likes of Dan Lomas and Joe Haines staying at the club.

They will be looking to bounce back from last weekend’s result in the FA cup where they lost 4-2 at Gresley Rovers.

Atherstone Town V AFC Wulfrunians

Atherstone Town start the league season with a home match against AFC Wulfrunians who they beat in the FA cup last weekend. The Adders will be looking to challenge for the play offs under manager Mitch Thomson and impressed in the second half of last season.

​They notably signed prolific forward Ryan Harkin over the summer and have some momentum going into this weekend following their win in the FA cup. It’s a squad with a lot of quality that can challenge at step five throughout the season.

AFC Wulfrunians had a busy summer and bought in former Wednesfield manager John Griffiths going into this season. He’s had a lot of success over the years at step six and came narrowly close to guiding Wednesfield to the play offs last season where they missed out on goal difference.

​A lot of players who impressed last season in MFL Division One have been signed over the last few months. Kie Houlihan was excellent last season for Wednesfield and Leslie Omorodion impressed for Wolves Sporting as one of their main attacking threats. It might take a bit of time before it all clicks but there building something at AFC Wulfrunians. 

Highgate United V Brocton

Highgate United get their league season under way with a home match against newly promoted Brocton at the Coppice. The Gate have appointed Alfie Marsden as their new manager and are going through a rebuild at step five following the success of the last few years under Terry Anderson where they made the play offs and reached the MFL league cup final. 

​Brocton have got a lot of momentum going into this match following promotion from the NWCL Division One South last season and winning in the FA cup last weekend. The Staffordshire side have had a brilliant year so far under manager Alex Curtis and will be looking to start the season strongly tomorrow.

Romulus V Stone Old Alleynians

Romulus start their new league season with a match against Stone Old Alleynians at Coles Lane tomorrow afternoon.
The Roms are entering their second season under manager Neil Tooth and will be looking to build on the positives of last season where a lot of young players stepped up and made a difference. 

They have added the likes of Dominic Dell and Jakob Burroughs over the summer to provide the squad with some experience and leadership.

Stone Old Alleynians notably beat step four side Bedworth United last weekend in the FA cup and will be looking to carry that momentum into their away match against Romulus tomorrow. The Stoke side have a lot of experience and leadership through the likes of Matthew Thomas and should be a tough side to break down.    

There’s also attacking quality through the likes of Sam Wilson who impressed last season at step five and scored last weekend in the 2-1 home win against Bedworth United.

Shifnal Town V Tividale

Shifnal Town start their league campaign with a home match against Tividale at the Acoustafoam Stadium. The Shropshire side have built a good squad over the summer that can challenge for the play offs under manager Connor Patterson.

They have signed the likes of Bradley Maslen-Jones and Goodluck Eke who impressed at step five last season and will be looking to get off to a good start against Tividale.

Tividale have changed their manager going into this season and bought in Phil Rann following the resignation of Stuart How earlier in the summer. It’s a new look squad with a lot of last season’s squad joining the likes of Cradley Town, Gornal and Romulus.    

​It might take a bit of time before things start to click for Tividale and the supporters will need a bit of patience. They competed well against Brocton in the FA cup and narrowly lost 3-2 last weekend.

Studley V Dudley Town

Studley will be looking to start the season on a positive note with a result against Dudley Town at the Studley Sports Centre tomorrow. The Bees have kept manager Mike Fowler and there’s been a lot of player turnover over the summer. None the less, they will be looking to challenge for the play offs and if they can find a goal scorer to replace Zac Guinan this season, they have a chance.

Key players such as John Mills and Harry Eden have stayed at the club who should offer the squad that experience this season.

It was an excellent season for Dudley Town last time out who secured a top half finish in the MFL Premier. The Robins had an encouraging result last weekend with a 3-0 away win at SC Inkberrow in the FA cup. They have a bit of momentum despite the departure of Harry Crook and could be a team to watch this season.

They will be looking to push for the play offs under manager Matty Lovett and will want to get off to a good start in the league.   

Uttoxeter Town V Northwich Victoria

Uttoxeter start their league campaign with a home match against Northwich Victoria at the Oldfield Sports Ground tomorrow afternoon. The Staffordshire side will be looking to bounce back from the 3-2 home loss to Heanor Town in the FA cup last weekend.

​Northwich Victoria will be looking to build on their encouraging 3-2 home win against Squires Gate in the FA cup last season. The Vics will be looking to get off to a good start in the league following the momentum gained in the second half of last season under manager Matt Barnes.

Whitchurch Alport V Stourport Swifts

Whitchurch will be looking to get their league campaign off to a positive start under manager Adam Shillcock. The Shropshire side could be one of the dark horses this season in the MFL Premier and had an encouraging result in the FA cup last weekend where they beat Irlam 3-0.

Stourport Swifts will be looking to continue the success they had last season where they reached the play offs before losing to Darlaston Town in the semi-finals. The Swifts have been consistent over the last few years under manager Quentin Townsend and will be looking to respond to the 2-0 loss at Worcester Raiders in the FA cup last weekend. 

Wolverhampton Casuals V OJM Black Country

Wolverhampton Casuals will be looking to get off to a good start under new manager Chris Hipkin. The Cassies have managed to avoid finishing in the bottom two over the last few seasons and will be looking to finish in mid table this time out. They start their league season against newly promoted OJM Black Country at Brinsford Stadium.

OJM Black Country will be looking to continue the momentum of last season when they secured promotion to step five by beating Droitwich Spa in the play-off final. They have a big match this weekend against Wolves Cassies and will be looking to establish themselves at step five. They put up a good fight against Chasetown in the FA cup last weekend before losing 2-1.

Preview feature written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League