Newsletter 21 09

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Midland Football League Newsletter
21st September 2016
League News

Draws have been made for later rounds of the league’s various cup competitions.

Polymac Packaging League Cup Round 2
Bolehall Swifts v Boldmere St Michaels
Lichfield City v Long Eaton United
Nuneaton Griff v Brocton
Rocester v Heanor Town
Coventry Copsewood v St Andrews or Coventry United
Coleshill Town v Hinckley AFC
Shepshed Dynamo or Heather St Johns v Leicester Road
Quorn v Loughborough University
Pershore Town v Cadbury Athletic
Alvechurch v Westfields
Stourport Swifts v Highgate United
Chelmsley Town v Littleton
Sporting Khalsa v Pelsall Villa
AFC Wulfrunians v Shawbury United
Lye Town v Heath Hayes
Tividale v Walsall Wood

LES JAMES CHALLENGE CUP ROUND 2
match 16 Bloxwich Town v Paget Rangers
match 17 Shipston Excelsior v Redditch Borough or Castle Vale Town
match 18 FC Stratford v Coton Green
match 19 Feckenham v Continental Star
match 20 Fairfield Villa v Alvis Sporting
match 21 Barnt Green Spartak or Hampton v Northfield Town
match 22 Earlswood Town v Montpellier
match 23 Knowle v Alcester Town

CHALLENGE VASE ROUND 2
match 7 Alcester Town v Coventrians
match 8 Enville Athletic v NKF Burbage or FC Stratford
match 9 Northfield Town v Montpelier
match 10 Moors Academy or Shipston Excelsior v Barton United

PRESIDENTS CUP ROUND 2
Paget Rangers or Fairfield Villa v Continental Star or Earlswood Town
Knowle or Smithswood Firs v Alvis Sporting Club
Redditch Borough or Hampton v Coton Green or Leamington Hibernian
Feckenham or Droitwich Spa v Bloxwich Town or Barnt Green Spartak

Travels of the Press Officer
Saturday 17th September
FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round (17)
Westfields 4 Highgate United 2

Our two remaining sides go head to head in the FA Cup with a place in the 3rd qualifying round awaiting the winners. On a glorious late summer’s day in Hereford, a good crowd congregated at Allpay Park to witness a cracking cup tie. The home side were stunned when Highgate took the lead in the 6th minute. The Westfields defence laboured in possession and were robbed by Connor Mooney who shrugged off a challenge and beat Kieron Blackburn with a superb left-footed shot. A mistake by Highgate keeper Brendon Bunn was rescued by Scott Turner who turned the ball behind for a corner. Highgate skipper Josh Hawker, an impressive figure in the middle of the park was inches wide in the 20th minute as the visitors looked the more likely to add to their score. In the 29th minute, Marco Adaggio got the wrong side of the last defender and he went down in a heap under a challenge. The referee decided that there was no foul much to the disgust of the visitors. Their temper was made worse a minute later when Westfields equalised. A long free-kick picked out James Molyneux whose ball across the face of goal was hammered in by Richard Greaves. Highgate went close to regaining the lead in the 37th minute when James Loney headed a free-kick against the Westfields crossbar. Within a minute, the home side had taken the lead. Greaves knocked the ball past Bunn and Molyneux was the grateful recipient and he rolled the ball into the empty net. Molyneux almost made it three but Bunn was on hand with a point blank save. On the stroke of half-time, turner wasted a glorious chance, given a free header he couldn’t keep the ball down.
Molyneux was presented with an open goal in the 49th minute after Bunn went walkabout but he could only find the side-netting. The dangerous Mooney shot just over the Westfields bar in the 57th minute but seconds later he was fouled in the area by Glover, the referee pinting to the spot. Skipper Hawker made no mistake sending Blackburn the wrong way. The end to tend nature of the game continued with Aidan Thomas hitting the outside of the post for Westfields and Kane Kahaki heading over. The longer the game went on, both sides were guilty of giving the ball away cheaply as they strived for the advantage. In the 81st minute, Highgate thought they had taken the lead when a long range effort from Aaron Brown cannoned off the bar and Adaggio’s follow up was saved. With two minutes of normal time remaining, the home supporters were on their feet as Westfields took the lead. A free-kick from Craig Jones was headed home by Kahaki at the far post. Deep into stoppage time, Highgate were awarded a free-kick in a dangerous position. Brown’s shot beat Blackburn but was the wrong side of the post. Westfields’ victory was sealed in the 4th minute of stoppage time. Bunn did well to foil Grant but when Jones miss hit his shot, Ben Miller was on hand to volley the ball home. A fitting end to a wonderful cup tie.

Tuesday September 20th
Polymac Packaging League Cup (18)
Bromsgrove Sporting 0 Sporting Khalsa 3

The first round of the league cup and an intriguing tie between two sides amongst the favourites for promotion in their respective divisions. Bromsgrove Sporting have started well in Division 1, scoring freely as they sit in 2nd place. Visitors Sporting Khalsa have put a good run together to move up to 5th in the Premier Division. It was the home side that started the brighter with Robbie Bunn forcing a save from Tom Turner. Bromsgrove were having more of the play and appeals for a penalty were waved away in the 17th minute when Tony Clarke was bundled off the ball. Nathan Walker went close for the home side iin the 25th minute but his shot skimmed the crossbar. A minute later, Khalsa were in front. A corner from the right was flicked on and Tesfa Robinson converted at the far post, with no defender in sight. Walker again went close for the home side with another superb shot from distance. Just before the break, Bunn wasted a glorious chance. With the goal at his mercy his shot cleared the crossbar. Daniel Harris was off target for Bromsgrove from a corner as the game went into the interval.
The strength of Sporting Khalsa in the challenge had been a key factor in the game as the home side were often knocked off the ball. In the 55th minute, David Meese hooked the ball goalwards for Khalsa but it was headed off the line. Bromsgrove gifted Khalsa a second goal in the 57th minute. A misplaced header was played into the path of Nick Turton who raced into the box and slotted past Chris Jay from a tight angle. Back came the home side and substitute Dale Edwards forced a fine save from Turner. In the 71st minute, a free-kick from Walker was spilled by Turner and the follow yup shot was blocked by the Khalsa defence. From the resulting corner, Harris’ header looked for all the world a goal but Turner had other ideas making an excellent save. With 5 minutes remaining, Khalsa substitute Luke Shearer was tripped in the area and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Shearer himself took the penalty and he chipped the ball into the net. In the last minute, Marvin Nisbett curled a shot over the bar. A final scoreline of 3-0 was hard on Bromsgrove who dominated possession for large periods of the game. Khalsa were stronger in the challenge and clinical when it came to taking chances.

Review
FA Cup

A pulsating cup-tie at Allpay Park saw Westfields make it through to the 3rd qualifying round with a 4-2 win over Premier Division rivals Highgate United. With two minutes left, the odds were on a replay at The Coppice but goals from Kane Kahaki and Ben Millar sent Fields through.

Premier Division
St Andrews made it 6 wins on the trot as they won 4-0 at AFC Wulfrunians. Two goals in the opening 9 minutes set Drews on their way and they jump into second place, just 5 points behind leaders Westfields. Two Danny Ashton goals gave Sporting Khalsa all three points in a 2-0 win at 2nd place Quorn. Khalsa are now looming large in 5th place. Walsall Wood take over 3rd spot coming from behind to beat Alvechurch 2-1 at the ML Safety Stadium. Former Church front man, Karl Edwards notched the winner in the 64th minute. Lye Town were reduced to 9 men at home to Heanor Town but held on to draw 1-1. Loughborough University are in 8th place following a 5-0 win at Shawbury United with Andrew Bridge helping himself to a hat-trick. Coleshill Town beat Shepshed Dynamo 2-0 at Pack Meadow to move into 9th position. There was a remarkable game at Sphinx Drive with Coventry Sphinx and Rocester sharing 8 goals. Sphinx raced into a 2-0 lead with a double from Jackson Downie but Rob Ritchie-Smith scored twice for Rocester who lead 3-2 and 4-3. In the 4th minute of stoppage time a goal from Liam Cairns gave Sphinx a share of the points. A double from Kai Williams gave Coventry United an early lead at Stourport Swifts and they held on to win 2-1. Tividale remain bottom and are now 4 points adrift following a 2-0 defeat at Long Eaton United. Brocton gained their 2nd win of the season beating Boldmere St Michaels 2-1 at Silkmore Lane, skipper Dan Lomas with the winner.
Lye Town moved up to 3rd with a 4-0 victory over Long Eaton United at Stourbridge Road with Jack Pearlman scoring twice. Two Josh March penalties helped Alvechurch to a 3-0 win over Shawbury United. The win moves Church up to 7th in the table.
Is there no stopping Westfields? Sidric Grant scored a hat-trick and Jamie Molyneux 2 as they beat Highgate United 7-1 at Allpay Park to move 8 points clear at the top of the table.

Division 1
Two goals from Luke Chapman helped Lichfield City retain top spot with a 3-0 win over Pershore Town. Hot on their heels are Bromsgrove Sporting who beat Coventry Copsewood 3-1 despite going behind in the 2nd minute. Atherstone Town are third beating Southam United 3-2 with Alex Naughton bagging all three. There were 10 goals at The Pingles Stadium as visitors Racing Club Warwick beat Nuneaton Griff 7-3, Jamie Smith with a hat-trick. Matt Stenson was another striker to score a hat-trick as his Leicester Road side beat Littleton 7-2. Paul Sullivan and Ryan Seal both scored twice as Hinckley AFC beat Uttoxeter Town 6-1 at Oldfields. In form Bolehall Swifts had an afternoon to forget as they were beaten 4-0 at home by Pelsall Villa. There were 4 different scorers for Heather St Johns as they beat Chelmsley Town 4-0 at St Johns Park. Cadbury Athletic move into the top half of the table following a 2-0 win at home to Heath Hayes. Stafford Town climb off the bottom, a 1-1 draw at Studley enough to rise a place on goal difference.

Division 2
The game between top and bottom didn’t go according to the formbook with Bloxwich Town upsetting the leaders Droitwich Spa by a goal to nil, Ashley Southall with the all-important goal. The result enabled Barnt Green Spartak to draw level on points with a 6-0 win over Feckenham, Benet Parchment with a hat-trick. Redditch Borough were another side to win big, 5-0 away at Continental Star with Jak Albutt grabbing a brace. Fairfield Villa climbed into the top half of the table with a 2-0 win at Earlswood Town. Leamington Hibernian overtook visitors Hampton in the league table following a 3-1 victory with a double from Joseph Wright.

Division 3
The game at the top of the table went the way of NKF Burbage who made it 6 wins out of 6 as they defeated Montpellier 3-1 at Badsey. 3rd placed Moors Academy went down to their second defeat of the season losing 2-1 at Alcester Town who won their second game on the trot. A double from Peter Martin helped Barton United to a share of the spoils against Shipston Excelsior, 3-3 the final score. Enville Athletic are off the bottom, a Brad Rees goal at Boldmere Sports & Social Falcons giving them all three points. Castle Vale Town picked up their first win of the season beating FC Stratford 4-1 at Vale Stadium.

Polymac Packaging League Cup
Coleshill Town cruised through to the 2nd round of the league cup with a resounding 5-0 win at Coventry Sphinx. Gio Dainty scored and Coleshill could even afford to miss a penalty as they go through to face Hinckley AFC in round 2. Brocton needed a goal in extra-time from veteran Paul McMahon to beat Division 1 Uttoxeter Town at Silkmore Lane. Sporting Khalsa continued their excellent run of form with a fine 3-0 victory at Bromsgrove Sporting. Pershore Town put their poor recent form behind them as they progressed to round 2 with a 3-2 win over Southam United, Dale Aldington with a brace. Cadbury Athletic had an excellent away win at Townsend Meadow beating Racing Club Warwick 3-1 with Dean Lea scoring twice. Bolehall Swifts are through to round 2 after a narrow 1-0 win at Atherstone Town. Littleton went goal crazy as they beat Studley 9-1 to set up a meeting with Chelmsley Town. Matt Harris broke Stafford Town hearts with a winner two minutes into added time at the end of extra time to give Heanor Town a 3-2 victory.

Les James Challenge Cup
Goal machine Tom Craine bagged another brace for Knowle as they beat Coventrians 3-1. Talking of goal machines, a week after scoring his 700th career goal, Mark Bellingham is now up to 703 – his hat-trick helping Paget Rangers beat Smithswood Firs 4-3.

Presidents Cup
Alvis Sporting Club needed extra time to beat Sutton United, 3-1 the final score.

Challenge Vase
Northfield Town made progress through to the second round of the Challenge Vase with a 3-1 win over Inkberrow.

Other Cups
Coton Green beat Silhill “A” at New Mill Lane to make it through to the next round of the Smedley Crooke Memorial Charity Cup. Lichfield City had a comprehensive win over Warstone Wanderers in the JW Hunt Cup, 7-0 the final score. Amadou Bakayoko scored a hat-trick as a young Walsall team beat Tividale 8-0 at The Beeches in the Walsall Senior Cup. Barnt Green Spartak are through to the next round of the Smedley Crooke Memorial Charity Cup after a 5-0 win over Tenbury United, Jacob Snape and Stefan Gordon both scoring twice.

Reserves
RESERVE DIVISION
CADBURY ATHLETIC 4 v 2 WALSALL WOOD
ROCESTER 2 v 2 GRESLEY

Under 21
CHALLENGE BOWL ROUND 1
Group "A"
COVENTRY UNITED 2 v 2 AYLESTONE PARK
SUTTON COLDFIELD TOWN 1 v 0 KETTERING TOWN
Group "B"
BEDWORTH UNITED 6 v 0 DROITWICH SPA G & B
TAMWORTH 5 v 0 BROCTON
Group "C"
COLESHILL TOWN 2 v 1 H O W ACADEMY
LEEK TOWN 3 v 0 WEST MIDLANDS ACADEMY

UNDER 21 DIVISION NORTH
HEATH HAYES 6 v 1 GORNAL ATHLETIC

UNDER 21 DIVISION SOUTH
ALVECHURCH 1 v 1 BROMSGROVE SPORTING
KINGS HEATH CONCORDE 0 v 1 AFC RUSHDEN & DIAMONDS

Preview
FA Vase
Anstey Nomads (EMCL) vs Quorn
Bolehall Swifts vs Shifnal Town (WMRL)
Brocton vs Chelmsley Town
Coventry Copsewood vs Atherstone Town
Coventry United vs Wednesfield (WMRL)
Greenwood Meadows (EMCL) vs Hinckley AFC
Hanley Town (NWCL) vs Boldmere St Michaels
Heanor Town vs Kimberley Miner’s Welfare (EMCL)
Kirby Muxloe (UCL) vs Littleton
Leicester Road vs West Bridgford (EMCL)
Paget Rangers vs Highgate United @Rushall Olympic FC
Pinxton (CML) vs Loughborough University
Rocester vs Black Country Rangers (WMRL)
Shawbury United vs Coventry Sphinx
St Andrews vs Retford (NCEL)
Stapenhill (EMCL) vs Long Eaton United
Stourport Swifts vs Cadbury Athletic
Tipton Town (WMRL) vs Bromsgrove Sporting
Uttoxeter Town vs Wellington Amateurs (WMRL)
Walsall Wood vs Pegasus Juniors (WMRL)
Wellington (WMRL)vs Lichfield City
Westfields vs Dudley Sports (WMRL)

26 teams in action with 5 all MFL games. Some cracking local derbies and hopefully, a lot of MFL clubs to progress to the first round.

Premier Division
Only two games in the Premier Division but two of the league’s heavyweights meet at Lye Meadow. Both Alvechurch and Sporting Khalsa have improved after stuttering starts with Khalsa picking up 13 points out of the last 15. A win for either could move them up to 2nd place. Coleshill Town welcome AFC Wulfrunians to Pack Meadow with the home side searching for some consistency.

Division 1
Nuneaton Griff will move up to 2nd if they can beat Heath Hayes at The Pingles Stadium. At the other end of the table Pershore Town can leapfrog visitors Studley should they pick up all three points at King George V Stadium.

Division 2
Barnt Green Spartak can go top of the pile if they beat Leamington Hibernian at The Coppice. Fellow high flyers, Alvis Sporting Club can join them at the summit should they beat visitors free-scoring Knowle. Bottom side Bloxwich Town had a morale boosting win over Droitwich Spa last week and will want to follow that up at home to Earlswood Town. 2nd bottom Continental Star travel to New Mill Lane to face Coton Green. Hampton can leapfrog visitors Smithswood Firs with a victory at Hampton Sports Club.

Division 3
NKF Burbage can extend their lead to 9 points if they can take all three points from their trip to 4th placed Northfield Town. The bottom two meet at Hall Drive with Enville Athletic hosting AFC Solihull. Alcester Town can go joint 2nd if they can beat Boldmere Sports & Social Falcons at Old Stratford Road. 10th meets 8th at Holbrooks Park with Coventrians hosting Barton United.

Polymac Packaging League Cup
Premier Division Shepshed Dynamo welcome Division 1 Heather St Johns to The Dovecote in a game rearranged due to the FA Vase.

Les James Challenge Cup
Division 2 Redditch Borough welcome Division 3 newcomers Castle Vale Town to The Valley with the winners travelling to Shipston Excelsior in round 2.

Challenge Vase
Moors Academy welcome Shipston Excelsior to The Beehive with the winners hostibng Barton United in Round 2.

WORCESTERSHIRE JUNIOR CUP ROUND 1
DROITWICH SPA v FAIRFIELD VILLA
INKBERROW v FECKENHAM
MONTPELLIER v UPTON TOWN

WORCESTERSHIRE MINOR CUP ROUND 1
WHITE EAGLES v DROITWICH SPA G & B

COVENTRY EVENING TELEGRAPH CUP ROUND 1
COVENTRY COLLIERY v FC STRATFORD

Reserves
CHALLENGE TROPHY ROUND 1
Group "A"
LICHFIELD CITY v WALSALL WOOD
Group "B"
CADBURY ATHLETIC v COTON GREEN
TIPTON TOWN v ROMULUS
RESERVE DIVISION
CONTINENTAL STAR v BROCTON

Under 21s
CHALLENGE BOWL ROUND 1
Group "A"
GORNAL ATHLETIC v KETTERING TOWN 10.30
HIGHGATE UNITED v COVENTRY UNITED 10.30
SUTTON COLDFIELD TOWN v ALVECHURCH 10.30
Group "C"
AFC RUSHDEN & DIAMONDS v H O W ACADEMY 10.30
UNDER 21 DIVISION NORTH
COLESHILL TOWN v BROCTON 10.30
LEEK TOWN v AYLESTONE PARK 11.30
TAMWORTH P v P WEST MIDLANDS ACADEMY
UNDER 21 DIVISION SOUTH
BROMSGROVE SPORTING v BEDWORTH UNITED 10.30