MFL Weekend Round Up (Divisions Two and Three)

Division Two

Birmingham United 1-3 AFC Coventry Rangers

AFC Coventry Rangers got an excellent away win at the Trico Stadium against Birmingham United on Saturday afternoon. They have struggled away from home this season, so this result is encouraging for the visitors and something to build on going into next season.

Second half goals from Andy Matthews, Connoll Farrell and Alpha Wurie gave AFC Coventry Rangers the three points and their second away win of the season. Ricardo Richards scored a consolation goal for Birmingham United to make it 2-1 in the middle of the second half.

It’s a good result for AFC Coventry Rangers and shows they can compete with the top teams in division two. They have 14 matches left this season and are capable of a top four finish if they can build on this result away from home.

Despite the loss, Birmingham United are still in a good position in division two and are challenging for a top four finish come the end of the season.    

Inkberrow 2-1 Cadbury Athletic

Inkberrow got a crucial win at the weekend to continue their impressive recent form at Sands Road and build a 13-point gap over the bottom two. It’s a boost to Inkberrow’s aim of staying up and moves them up to 9th in the table. A decent crowd of 36 supporters turned up on Saturday to watch Inkberrow get their fourth home win of the season.

Cadbury Athletic took the lead in the first half thanks to a penalty by Callum Devlin to make it 1-0. Inkberrow found an equaliser just before half time through Sahad Amir to make it 1-1 at the break. George Skelton scored the winner for Inkberrow in the 72nd minute to give them the three points. It’s been a brilliant month for the hosts with 13 points from their last six league matches.

Cadbury Athletic still have a bit of breathing space over the bottom two with a 10-point gap over Littleton in 15th. It’s just a case of picking up a few wins to make it a comfortable end to the season.

Division Three

AFC Birmingham 7-0 Boldmere Sports and Social Falcons

AFC Birmingham got a brilliant win against Boldmere Falcons at Illey Lane to have an outside chance of finishing in the top two. The win leaves the hosts only two points off Feckenham in 2nd having played a game more than the Millers. They have ten matches left to put pressure on the likes of Feckenham and Northfield in the promotion race.

A good crowd of 41 supporters turned up at Halesowen to watch AFC Birmingham get their fifth home win of the season. It’s been a fortress with only two losses from ten matches.

The win was capped off by Finbarr McCarthy scoring a hat-trick for AFC Birmingham. Further goals from Rahiem Faulder, Kyle Field and substitutes Jahrome Faulder and Ricardo Heaven made it a convincing home win and one of the standout results of the weekend.

It was a tough day at the office for Boldmere Falcons and nothing to be too concerned about. Over a long season, teams are going to have a few matches that are going to be challenging but it’s more about the response rather than the defeat. They have a chance to get a statement result this Saturday against Northfield Town.  

AFC Solihull 5-2 Continental Star

AFC Solihull continued their impressive home form at the Tudor Grange Leisure Centre with a convincing win against Continental Star at the weekend. The result makes it ten wins from twelves matches at home and their now twelve points clear at the top of the table.

The hosts took a 3-0 lead going into half time thanks to goals from Owen Williams, MD Shimuel and Jahvan Howell. Continental Star managed to get a goal back to make it 3-1 before Cherno Say scored to restore the three-goal lead. The visitors got another goal back early in the second half before Lee Chakmak scored late on to seal the three points.

It’s looking good for AFC Solihull in their aim for promotion to step seven and they have been excellent in division three this season. Only three losses from 24 matches is brilliant and it’s just a case of staying consistent to win the division title.

Continental Star competed well in this game against a top team, and they have caused some upsets on the road this season. Despite their league position, they have not been too bad over the last few months.

Castle Vale Town 1-2 Wake Green Amateur

Wake Green got a win at CV Stadium at the weekend against Castle Vale Town to cement their position in the top half of the table.

The visitors got their third away win of the season thanks to goals from Nathaniel Percival and Adam Turner before Jordan McKenzie scored a late consolation goal for Castle Vale Town in the second half. Wake Green have been tough to beat away from home with just two losses from six matches and it continued here.

Despite the loss, Castle Vale Town are still in a good position in the league and a top six finish would be an excellent achievement come the end of the season. The Spitfires have been one of the stories of the season near the top of the league. They have eight matches left and have been consistent to be in 5th going into late February.  

Gornal 0-4 Northfield Town

Northfield got a crucial away win against Gornal on Saturday to boost their chances of finishing in the top two. The result continues Northfield’s unbeaten record on the road from ten matches and leaves them only a point off Feckenham in 2nd. They have a game in hand over the Millers so it’s all to play for over the next few months.

A decent crowd of 30 supporters turned up to the Wombourne Leisure Centre at the weekend to watch Northfield get their eighth away win of the season. A brace from Tyler Stevens and further goals from Louis Jones and substitute Joel Harrison gave Northfield the three points.

The visitors have been a brilliant addition to division three and are well in the mix for promotion to step seven come late April.

Gornal have been decent in division three and have been competitive in their first season at this level. Their main strength has been their home record with all their 16 points coming at the Wombourne Leisure Centre and the club is constantly adapting to step eight football. 

Round up feature written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League