League News
Grant Ryder has taken over the managerial reins at Heather St Johnsf ollowing the departure of Mark Kavanagh. Heather have made a disappointing start to the season and Ryder promises to make changes "I always look forward to a challenge, I wouldn't be doing it if I didn't. There's a lot for us to put right here before moving forward and it's not going to be easy.It's a good club with a great infrastructure but it needs grabbing by the horns”.
Weekendreview
FA Cup
A good weekend in the FA Cup with a number of Midland League sides taking the scalp of higher ranked opposition. Story of the round has to be Westfields. Held to a 1-1 draw at Allpay Park by Evostik South Kidsgrove Athletic on Saturday, they travelled to Staffordshire on Wednesday night for the replay (this after hosting Hereford in the league on Monday). It looked all done and dusted at half-time with grove taking a 4-0 lead. The comeback of all comebacks began with a Jamie Cuss goal in the 65thminute and then Matt Reeve made it interesting with 15 minutes to go. Time for a hero and up steps Craig Jones. A free-kick and a last minute penalty took the game into extra time. Kidsgrove took the lead again and must have thought they were home and dry but Jonesagainwith another free-kick brought the game level. In the last minute of extra time. Westfields were awarded a penalty which saw Grove keeper, Ben Chapman sent-off. Jones made no mistake from the spot to give Westfields a dramatic 6-5 victory.
AFC Wulfrunians saw off the challenge of Evostik South Romulus at Castlecroft, Ben Jevons and Ricky Anslow on target. Coleshill Town pulled off a giant killingbeating Evostik high flyers Stafford Rangers 2-1 at Marston Road, despite going a goal behind inside twominutes. Rob Evans scored the winner just before the break. Shepshed Dynamo flew the Midland League flag with an excellent 2-1 win at Carlton Town, the winner courtesy of Niall Prenderville four minutes from time.Jarrod Westcarr scored two as Dunkirk eased past Bottesford Town. Rocester took Leek town back to Hillsfield for a replay after Troy Carty scored a late equaliser. Leek made no mistake at the second time of asking although Karl Demidh’s goal, 8 minutes from time, made it interesting. In an all premier Division clash, Long Eaton United continued their good start to the season with a 2-1 win at Loughborough University. EvoStik South Newcastle Town proved too strong for Continental Star, the home side progressing with a comfortable 4-0 win. A goal onthe stroke of half-time from Mason Rowley was enough for Rugby Town against Coventry Sphinx. Sporting Khalsa scored 4 without reply against Cadbury Athletic, Mensah Kinch and Craig Bannister both with two. A tight affair at Walshes Meadow saw the home side progress as Stourport Swiftsb eat Alvechurch1-0. Jamie Willets scored the only goal of the game, his last in Stourport colours as he has joined Hereford this week. There was a big win for Hinckley AFCat Bromsgrove Sporting. Marco Adaggio and Luke Richards both scored twice in a 6-2 victory.
Premier Division
A busy Bank holiday weekend with one game on Saturday and ten on Monday / Tuesday. A bad weekend for Broctonas they suffered 2-1 home defeats to Bardon Hilland leaders Long Eaton United. Bardon Hill, on the other hand, picked up 6 points with two away wins, beating Coventry Sphinx3-2 at Sphinx Drive. Stourport Swifts lost top spot after a 1-0 home defeat to FA Cup heroes Coleshill Town, Tom Weale with the only goal of the game. Heanor Town are the only side with a 100% record, their latest victory a 3-0 win over Dunkirk, Kieran Debrouwer with a brace. The Hereford derby attracted a record 1,825 to Allpay Park as Westfieldsand Herefordshared the points in a goalless draw. AFC Wulfruniansare fourth following a 2-1 win over Continental Star. Jamie King scored both but was later red carded to mar his afternoon. Alvechurchare a further place back after inflicting Highgate United’sfirst defeat of the season. Walsall Woodcame back from 2 goals down at Boldmere St Michaelsto grab a point in a 2-2 draw. Quornhave recovered from their slow start to the season and grabbed their 3rdwin in succession over still pointless Loughborough University. A last minute goal from Jack Pearlman gave Lye Townthe points in the Black Country derby with Sporting Khalsa.
Division 1
Coventry Unitedstill lead the way in Division 1 with a perfect record from 8 games. They were pushed close this weekend with narrow wins at home to Pershore Townand at Leicester Road.
Nuneaton Griffare second and they continued their goalscoring exploits with a 3-1 win over Pelsall Villa and a remarkable 7-3 win at Bolehall Swifts. Goals are being shared around with 5 players scoring 4 or more this season.Littletonare third with two home wins over the weekend, 3-0 over Coventry Copsewoodand 4-1 against Pershore Town, Jamie Clarke moving into double figure goals for the season. Bromsgrove Sportingbounced back from their FA Cupdefeat beating Pilkington XXXaway, a reversal of fortune for the Pilks who had beaten Stafford Town3-1 on Saturday. It was a bad weekend for Stafford Townas they were hammered 7-0 in the Staffordshire derby on Bank Holiday Monday by Lichfield City. Another struggling side are Heather St Johnsand they suffered defeats at the hands of Racing Club Warwick (5-2) and Hinckley AFC (4-1) in the St Johns Park derby. Cadbury Athletic are 5thafter a 1-0 win at Studley. Studleythemselves picked up all 3 points on Saturday with a 3-2 over Atherstone Town. It has not been the best of start for the Adders but they did pick up a point on Monday in a 2-2 draw with Coventry Copsewood. Elsewhere on Monday, Heath Hayesand Pelsall Villaended goalless while Southam Unitedwon 1-0 at Racing Club Warwick.
Division 2
Alvis Sporting Clubmaintained their 100% record with a 7-2 win over Earlswood Town, Dildale
Lintonwith a hat-trick. Rostance Edwardsare second following a 3-1 win over previously unbeaten Chelmsley Town, and a 2-1 win home win over Hampton. Chelmsley Townshared 8 goals in a thriller with Paget Rangerson Saturday, Dan carter with a hat trick for the visitors. Droitwich Spaare in 3rdplace and picked up 6 points over the weekend with a 3-0 victory over Sutton Unitedand a
2-1 win at Barnt Green Spartak. Games involving Coton Greencontinue to be entertaining with another 12 goals over the weekend. A 6-0 victory over Knowlewas followed by a 4-1 defeat at Hampton, Clint Andrews moving to the top of the division score chartswith his seventh of the season. Fairfield Villaare off the bottom after a win over Barnt Green Spartakand Knowlepicked up their first win of the season with a 1-0 win over Earlswood Town. Austrey Rangersare in the middle of the pack after a 4-2 win over Feckenham.
Division 3
FC Stratfordhave the only 100% record following a 5-2 win over Leamington Hibernian. Barton United are top winning 4-1 at Leamington Hibernianbefore dropping their first points of the season at Burntwood Town. Redditch Boroughwere the big movers at the weekend scoring 10 with only a solitary goal in reply. A 4-0 win over Enville Athleticwas followed by a 6-1 win at Perrywood. Inkberroware 3rdand they also scored 10 over the weekend. Nathan Davies was their star with hattricks in the 7-1 defeat of AFC Solihulland the 3-1 victory over Alcester Town. Smithswood Firswere involved in two high scoring games, a 3-1 home win over Shipston Excelsiorand a 4-3 win at Boldmere Sports & Social Falcons, Dan Russell scoring 5 of the goals. Coventrianspicked up their first points of the season with a 3-1 win at Shipston Excelsior. Badsey Rangerspicked up 6 points at the weekend beating Alcester Townand AFC Solihull4-2 and 2-1 respectively. Perrywoodgained their firs point in a 2-2 draw at Boldmere Sports & Social Falconswhile Burntwood Townbeat Coventriansto register their first win. In the remaining game, Northfield Towndefeated Enville Athletic 3-1.
Weekend preview
FA Vase 1stQualifying Round
34 Midland league sides are in AF Vase action this weekend – a realistic chance for a trip to Wembley for many. There are 5 Division 1 vs.Premier Division ties, the pick of which are Coventry
Copsewoodat home to Bardon Hilland Alvechurchat home to Division1 high flyers, Lichfield City.
AFC Wulfruniansentertain Pershore Town, Rocestertravel to Heather St Johnsand FA Cup heroes
Westfieldshost Atherstone Town. In the one all Premier Division clash, Shepshed Dynamohost
Loughborough University. The Division 1 front runners all haveintriguing ties. Leaders Coventry
Unitedtravel to North West Counties, Hanley Town; Nuneaton Grifftake their goal machine to Shropshire toface West Midlands regional League, Shawbury Town who have a 100% league record; andLittletontravel to another WMRL side, Gornal Athletic. WMRL Wolverhampton Sporting Community face Hinckley AFCat Hazel Lane while Southam Unitedtravel to Brinsford lane to face Wolverhampton Casuals. A big day for Division 2 Barnt Green Spartakthey travel to Premier Division Lye Townand also for Division 2 Paget Rangerswho have a home tie against Division 1 Studley. Sporting Khalsaand Highgate Unitedshould be too strong for Dudley Town and Tipton Town respectively, while Stourport Swiftswould expect to get past Pegasus Juniors. Quorn’supturn in form should see them defeat Rainworth Miners Welfare and Continental Starwill expect to beat Ellistown and IbstockUnited at Dales lane on Sunday. The other ties look very hard to call and theyare Ashby Ivanhoe versus Racing Club Warwick, Cadbury Athleticversus AFC Bridgnorth, Heath Hayesversus Bromsgrove Sporting, Leicester Roadversus Harborough Town, Lutterworth Athletic versus Pilkington XXXand Stafford Townat home to Wednesfield.
Premier Division
The big game of the day sees Heanor Townhoping to maintain their 100% record at home to
Hereford. A bumper crowd is expected at The Town Ground with Heanor eyeing top spot. League leaders Long Eaton Unitedwelcome in-form Coleshill Townto Grange Park and this one could be full of goals. Two struggling sides meet at The Ron Steel Sports Ground where Dunkirkentertain Brocton. Both Coventry Sphinxand Walsall Woodhave made steady starts to the season and they meet at Sphinx Drive.
Division 1
Only one game in the First Division where rock bottom Bolehall Swiftstravel to 18thplacedPelsall Villa with both sides desperate for points.
Division 2
League leaders Alvis Sporting Clubhost Austrey Rangerslookingto maintain their 100% start to the season. Chelmsley Towncan move into 2ndplaced if they can beat Sutton Unitedat The Pavilion. Coton Greenagainst Fairfield Villahas goals written all over it while there should be plenty of goals at Hamptonversus Earlswood Town. Feckenhamface Knowlewith both sides looking for points to move up the table. The sides in 2ndand 3rdmeet in the Presidents Cup with Rostance Edwardstravelling to Droitwich Spa.
Division 3
It’s first versus third this week as Barton Unitedhost Inkberrowat Holland Sports Club. FC Stratfordwill be hoping to take advantage of any slip ups as they travel to lowly Perrywood. Both
Smithswood Firsand Redditch Boroughwould be hoping to keep on the heels of the leaders as they play host to Coventriansand Boldmere Sports & Social Falconsrespectively. AFC Solihullare still looking for their first MFL point and they play host to Burntwood Town. The other three games look like tight affairs as Leamington Hibernianhost Enville Athletic, Northfield TownhostAlcester Townand Badsey Rangerstravel to Shipston Excelsior.