PROMOTION RACES WARMING UP

As the Midland Football League enters the second half of the season the promotion races and relegation battles across the four main divisions are really hotting up.

In the Premier Division, Walsall Wood lead the way, six points clear of Shifnal Town in second place, but only four points separate the chasing pack from third to ninth, so everything is still to play for. On Saturday leaders Walsall Wood travel to a Uttoxeter Town side in a battle of their own at the bottom end of the table. Town sit two points and two places above the drop zone, ahead of Worcester City and Wolverhampton Casuals who have twelve points apiece, whilst Market Drayton Town are bottom, with three points to show for so far this campaign. 

Saturday's Midland Football League Premier Division fixtures:

​Bewdley Town vs AFC Wulfrunians - 2pm
Shifnal Town vs Racing Club Warwick - 2pm
Darlaston Town (1874) vs Market Drayton Town - 3pm
Highgate United vs Worcester City - 3pm
Romulus vs Atherstone Town - 3pm
Stourport Swifts vs Tividale - 3pm
Studley vs Lichfield City - 3pm
Uttoxeter Town vs Walsall Wood - 3pm
Whitchurch Alport vs Lye Town - 3pm
Wolverhampton Casuals vs Stone Old Alleynians - 3pm

In the Midland Football League Division 1, the title race is wide open. Dudley Town currently sit top of the pile but they hold the slenderest of margins over second place Ashby Ivanhoe. The Robins are top by virtue of one goal. On Saturday, Dudley Town's title credentials will be put to the sternest of tests when they travel to third placed Hinckley AFC, who themselves still harbour title ambitions. Two other sides in promotion contention meet at The Sports Ground, Lye, when OJM Black Country in fifth, welcome Bilston Town who currently sit in fourth. A quirk of the fixture computer also sees sixth play seventh as Coton Green welcome Droitwich Spa to New Mill Lane.

It's a similar story for sides at the bottom end of the table. In a real six-pointer, Heath Hayes who are third-bottom will be looking to build on the superb point they picked up against leaders Dudley Town when they travel to fourth-bottom AFC Bridgnorth. 

Saturday's Midland Football League Division 1 fixtures:

AFC Bridgnorth vs Heath Hayes - 3pm
Chelmsley Town vs Ingles - 3pm
Coton Green vs Droitwich Spa - 3pm
Coventry Copsewood vs Wednesfield - 3pm
Haughmond vs Paget Rangers - 3pm
Hinckley AFC vs Dudley Town - 3pm
O J M Black Country vs Bilston Town - 3pm
Shawbury United vs Nuneaton Griff - 3pm
Smethwick Rangers vs Wolverhampton Sporting Community - 3pm
Stapenhill vs Cradley Town - 3pm

External cup competition commitments mean a reduced programme in Divisions 2 and 3 this weekend.

In Division 2, Cadbury Athletic will be looking to make the most of league leaders Sutton United being in cup action when they welcome Fairfield Villa to the Cadbury Recreation Ground. At the other end of the table the bottom two meet at The Pavilions as Barnt Green Spartak host Boldmere Sports & Social. 

Saturday's Midland Football League Division 2 fixtures:

Barnt Green Spartak vs Boldmere Sports & Social Falcons - 2pm
Cadbury Athletic vs Fairfield Villa - 2pm
Inkberrow vs Earlswood Town - 2pm
Knowle vs Lane Head - 2pm
Redditch Borough vs Kenilworth Sporting - 2pm

In Division 3 just three points separate the top five. Fourth meets fifth as Wake Green Amateurs travel to Balsall & Berkswell, whilst second placed AFC Solihull will be looking to move top of the table when they host Leamington Hibernian.

Saturday's Midland Football League Division 3 fixtures:

AFC Solihull vs Leamington Hibernian - 2pm
Balsall & Berkswell vs Wake Green Amateurs - 2pm
DSC United vs Castle Vale Town - 3pm
Solihull Sporting vs Continental Star - 2pm