Preview of the Les James Challenge cup (First Round) (Part two)

Fairfield Villa V Coventrians

​Fairfield Villa are growing into the season and getting better with each match. They have picked up four points from four matches in division two with all the points coming in their last two matches. The highlight of the season so far was the home win over Coventry Alvis 4-3 and they managed to draw with an in-form Hampton last weekend. This match comes at the right time for the club and it should be a way of building confidence for the autumn period.

Coventrians have had an understandably tough start to the season in division two following their promotion from division three as league winners’ last season. The club lost key forwards Nathan McGarrity to Nuneaton Griff and Sean Kavanagh to Coventry Copsewood and have struggled for goals so far against tough opposition.

​The visitors have also struggled defensively with 13 goals conceded against quality teams including Knowle, Earlswood Town and Redditch Borough. They go into this match as underdogs and would do well to get a result.   

Feckenham V Coventry Alvis

Feckenham have started well to life in MFL Division Three and adapted comfortably from competing in the Hellenic League last season. The hosts have picked up seven points from three matches and have had notable wins over Gornal and Birmingham Tigers. The Worcester club have also scored 13 goals in the league so far and could be a difficult opponent for Coventry Alvis on Saturday. Josh Bowen and William Skelton have impressed with three goals for the club.

Coventry Alvis have had a good start to the season under new manager Martin Ascroft and have adapted well with a new look squad. Jagit Aujla has been excellent for Alvis and scored six goals from four matches. Overall, the team have 9 points in the league. They should be going into this match with a bit of confidence as they have played well in division two.

This should be an intriguing match this weekend as both teams are in a good run of form, and it will be interesting to see what happens.    

Gornal V Inkberrow

Gornal have started well to life in MFL Division three and do not look out of place in a tough division. They have picked up three points from three matches with the highlight being the home win against Continental Star. They lost to Solihull Sporting and Feckenham away from home with both teams in a good run of form. Habil Darboe has impressed with three goals from three matches. They go into this match with a bit of confidence to get a result and cause an upset.

Inkberrow have had a challenging start to the season following the departure of prolific striker Jay Higgins Pugsley to Birmingham United throughout the summer. The club have lost all four of their matches in division two and conceded 16 goals. There were some positives from the 5-2 loss to Coventry Alvis last weekend with George Thomas and substitute Max Watkins getting on the scoresheet.

​This match feels like a big one for the club to build a bit of confidence and get their season under way.  

Hampton V Northfield Town

Hampton have had a good start to the season in division two and have played well following a fire at Field Lane prior to the season. They are currently playing at New Mill Lane in Fazeley, Tamworth.

The club have picked up seven points from four matches and go into this match in a good run of form with 11 goals scored in their last three matches. Ciaran Lawless has impressed with six goals in the division so far. The Solihull club finished as runners-up last season in the Les James Challenge Cup and will want to have a good cup run this season.

Northfield Town have had an excellent start to life in MFL Division three and have picked up seven points from three matches. They had an eye-catching result against Wake Green Amateur last weekend where they won 4-1 and the club have scored 9 goals in total.

All of the club’s matches have been away from home and they have impressed in division three. Patrick Behan has continued his good form from playing in the Birmingham District League last season and has four goals.

​This match should be exciting as both teams have been prolific going forward and both are in good form.  

Knowle V Leamington Hibernian

Knowle have settled into the season and are gradually getting better with each match played. The Solihull club have been steady in division two and picked up seven points from four matches played to be near the top of the table.

It’s been an interesting season for the Robins as they beat both Lane Head and Coventrians, drew with Birmingham United last weekend and surprisingly lost to Alcester Town at home on the opening day. Jay Rendell is the team’s top scorer with three goals for the Robins.

Leamington Hibernian have had a difficult start to the season in division three and have lost both of their opening two matches away to Wake Green Amateur and AFC Birmingham. The club also play at Field Lane and no doubt would have been affected by the fire before the season got underway.

​The visitors have been a given a tough draw in the Les James Challenge cup and come up against the defending champions from last season.  

Lane Head V Wake Green Amateur

Lane Head have had an ok start to the season in division two and have picked up three points from four matches. The highlight was the home win against Fairfield Villa with Josh Lewis scoring the winner for the club. The club’s losses have admittedly come against tough opposition and included Central Ajax, Knowle and AFC Coventry Rangers.

Lane Head competed admirably on the opening day in a narrow loss to AFC Coventry Rangers away which finished 3-2. This match looks a good opportunity to build some confidence for the club but it’s also one of the more challenging draws of the first round.

Wake Green Amateur have had a really good start to the season in division three. The visitors have won three out of four matches, with the only loss coming to Northfield Town last weekend. Ashley Smith has been brilliant so far with six goals and is the top goal scorer in the division. The team has scored 18 goals in total from their four matches and outside of the loss to Northfield are going into this match with a bit of momentum.

They should be looking to get a result and cause a notable upset against higher opposition this Saturday.

Littleton V Castle Vale Town

Littleton have had a challenging start to life in MFL Division two in a really competitive division this season. The club have picked up one point from four matches played. This involved a notable draw with Redditch Borough which should give the team a bit of confidence for the season ahead.

The Worcester based club will be aiming for a mid-table finish this season and are currently adapting to the division. They hosts have struggled defensively so far with 11 goals conceded from four matches.

Castle Vale Town have started the season well in MFL Division three and go into this match with a bit of momentum.

​The visitors have been impressive and picked up seven points from three matches. This includes notable away wins against Meadow Park and Silhill. Jordan McKenzie has continued his excellent form from last season and currently has four goals. In total the team have scored 8 goals from three matches and look good going forward.

The signs are really encouraging for the club to cause an upset against higher tier opposition this Saturday as they are playing well and have a prolific striker to cause Littleton some problems.     

​Meadow Park V Birmingham United

Meadow Park have had a fine start to the season in MFL Division three and have picked up three points from three matches. The highlight was an impressive win over BNJS where they won 4-0. Daniel Lowe has impressed so far for the Worcester Club and has three goals.

They go into this match as underdogs and it’s a good opportunity for the squad to test themselves against higher opposition who are fancied to be competing near the top of division two this season.

Birmingham United have made an Ok start to the season in division two and have picked up five points from a tough run of matches. They beat Inkberrow at the Trico Stadium on the opening day 2-0 and have recorded some notable draws against Central Ajax and Knowle away from home so far.

New signing Jay Higgins Pugsley got on the scoresheet against Central Ajax which is a huge positive. The visitors will be looking to build a run of form going into September and will be the favourites going into this match.      

Preview feature written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League