MFL Weekend Round Up (Premier Division)

Atherstone Town 0-3 AFC Wulfrunians

AFC Wulfrunians started the league season with a 3-0 win at Sheepy Road against Atherstone Town. It’s an excellent result for the visitors under new manager John Griffiths and gives them something to build on for their upcoming matches.

The visitors got into a 2-0 lead at half time thanks to goals from Jake Webb and Bradley Lawley. Substitute Ezekiel Agyemang scored in second half stoppage time to make the full time result 3-0 to the Wulfs.

​It was a tough day at the office for Atherstone Town who will be looking to bounce back tomorrow evening when they go to Dudley Town. 

Highgate United 2-3 Brocton

Brocton started life at step five with an impressive away win against Highgate United at the Coppice. A crowd of 55 supporters turned up to watch Brocton get their first league win of the season.

The goals for the visitors coming from a brace by Christian Blanchette and a solo effort by Ben Haddaway for the three points.

The Staffordshire side have been good so far in both the league and the FA cup. They have a big week ahead with home matches against 1874 Northwich (League) and Coleshill Town (FA cup) at Silkmore Lane. 

Highgate United were competitive throughout the ninety minutes and got a few goals through Bassit Mandey in the first half and Randy Osei in the second half.

It’s a bit of a rebuild at Highgate United under new manager Alfie Marsden but they have been competitive in both of their matches so far this season which is encouraging.

Romulus 0-3 Stone Old Alleynians

Stone Old Alleynians built on their notable win against Bedworth United in the FA cup with an eye catching away win against Romulus at Coles Lane. A good crowd of 75 supporters turned up for the opening home match of the season for the Roms.

The visitors got off to a good start in the opening ten minutes and went 2-0 up thanks to efforts from Luke Askey and Jack Tomlinson. The Stoke side got another goal in the second half through Jack Tomlinson to seal a convincing away win against Romulus. Alongside the goals, the most impressive thing for Stone Old Alleynians is the clean sheet which is encouraging for the matches ahead.  

It was tough day at the office for Romulus, but they have the chance to bounce back with an away fixture against Tividale on Tuesday. They have a good schedule to settle into the season and a result in their next few fixtures would give the squad a lot of confidence and belief for the months ahead. 

Shifnal Town 3-0 Tividale

Shifnal will be looking to challenge for the play offs this season and got off to an encouraging start against Tividale at the weekend. An excellent crowd of 112 supporters turned up to watch the Shropshire side get their first league win of the season.

They went into a 2-0 lead at half time thanks to efforts from Joe Ellis Cuff and Goodluck Eke.  A second half goal from Kevin Monteiro was enough to give Shifnal the three points and it will give the squad some confidence for the matches ahead.

Tividale are adjusting to a new manager and it’s a new look squad following the challenges of last season. It might take a bit of time before it all starts to click under new manager Phil Rann, and they have a big match against Romulus tomorrow evening.

Studley 0-2 Dudley Town

Dudley Town picked up where they left off at the second half of last season with a quality away win against Studley. A crowd of 56 supporters turned up to the Studley Sports Centre to watch the Robins get their first three points of the season.

A lot of the squad from last season remains at Dudley Town and they have got some momentum under Matty Lovett. Goals in each half by Jordan Davies and substitute Owen Massey was enough to give the visitors the three points against Studley at the weekend.

It’s a long season and Studley will be looking for a result in the next few matches so they can settle into the league and get a run of form going. There’s been some player turnover throughout the summer, and it might take a bit of time before it all starts to click.

Uttoxeter Town 1-2 Northwich Victoria

Northwich Victoria made a second half comeback to beat Uttoxeter Town 2-1 at the Oldfield Sports Ground at the weekend. The Vics will be looking to challenge for the play offs this season and showed character to get a result on Saturday against a good Uttoxeter Town side.

Uttoxeter Town took the lead in the 76th minute before efforts from Callum Parker and Sam Unwin gave the Vics the three points late on. Following the challenges in the first half of last season it feels like Northwich are starting to settle in the MFL Premier and could be a dark horse this time out.

Whitchurch Alport 1-2 Stourport Swifts

Stourport Swifts got an impressive away win against Whitchurch Alport at Yockings Park over the weekend which can be a tough place to get a result.

The Swifts went 2-0 up early in the second half thanks to efforts by new signing Darryl Knights and Kobe Hall before Whitchurch reduced the deficit to trail 2-1 thanks to a solo effort by Billy West just after the hour mark.

Despite the hosts searching for an equaliser throughout the last half an hour, Stourport did well to hold on and get the three points on Saturday. 

Whitchurch will be looking to respond with a result against Northwich Victoria on Wednesday.

The Swifts have a big match against Shifnal Town on Tuesday with both sides aiming to get in the play offs this season.   

Wolverhampton Casuals 0-3 OJM Black Country

OJM Black County started life at step five with an impressive away win against Wolverhampton Casuals at Brinsford Stadium on Saturday. A crowd of 50 supporters turned up to watch OJM get the three points.

The goals for the visitors coming from a brace by Michael Nelson and a solo effort by Emeraude Kabongo to give them the win.

It’s a good start for OJM and should help them settle into the MFL Premier following promotion from division one last season. Their next match is away to AFC Wulfrunians tomorrow evening.  

Wolves Cassies will be looking to respond against Stone Old Alleynians tomorrow.

​It’s a long season and it might take a bit of time before the squad starts to click under new manager Chris Hipkin.   

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