League News
Enville Athletic are pleased to announce Stephen Newton as their new Manager following the departure of Ryan McDonagh, Stephen is assisted by Grant Griffiths. Stephen ran Greenhill FC for 10 years and more recently Bartley Green Illey Fc, he brings with him a wealth of experience having also played and then managed Enville in 2000/01.
Congratulations to Joe Hartshorne of Heath Hayes who has been selected for the England Schoolboys Under 18 squad. Well done Joe.
The draw has been made for the 5th round of the FA Vase. Ties to take place on Saturday 30th January
Nuneaton Griff vs Salisbury FC
Hartley Wintney or Bradford vs Hereford or Leicester Nirvana
Newport (IW) or Ashford United vs Coleshill Town or Dunston UTS
Travels of the Press Officer
Saturday 9th January
Cleethorpes Town 2 Alvechurch 1
A road trip to North East Lincolnshire in the FA Vase 4th round as Alvechurch faced a difficult tie at
North Counties East League high flyers Cleethorpes Town. The ground is in the Bradley area of Grimsby and on first sight, in the January sunshine, is neat and compact with seating for around 200 along the far side of the pitch. A healthy number had travelled from Worcestershire to see which of these sides would make history and reach the last 16 of the competition for the first time. Led out by their bright blue Owl mascot, the locals were in fine voice but were silenced within two minutes when Church opened the scoring. Jack Cresswell won the ball in midfield and sent Josh March away. March skipped past a weak challenge and clipped the ball passed the advancing keeper Miles Fenty into the corner of the net to send the Church fans wild with delight. The Owls responded with a lot of possession but little in the way of a creative edge. Luke Mascall tested Matt Sargeant at his near post but the Church keeper made a comfortable save. Karl Edwards should have done better in the 17th minute when he beat the offside trap but was way off target with his shot. Church were frustrating Cleethorpes with their pressing game and, this in turn, was leading to chances for the visitors. Alvechurch should have doubled their lead in the 23rd minute when Edwards met a
Cresswell corner with a firm header but put it over the bar. The Owls defence could not cope with
Edwards and only a fine block on the line by Lawrence Heward prevented Church doubling their lead. Cresswell forced a fine save at full stretch from Fenty before Andrew Parson was off target following another Cresswell corner. Church went into the break a goal to the good but really should have been out of sight. Cleethorpes came out for the 2nd half with a flea in their ear and straight from the kick off it was clear that the tempo had been increased significantly. Jon Oglesby had moved to the right flank and immediately forced a save from Sargeant. The home side were sharper to the challenge and providing a physical challenge which Church were struggling to contain. On the hour, The Owls were level. Oglesby was picked out with a superb crossfield ball and he ran on and fired his shot into the bottom corner. Things got worse for Church three minutes later when Danny Trott was picked out at the near post and he finished with ease. Cleethorpes were now well on top and Church were struggling to make any impression. March manged to force a save out of Fenty but it was the home side that looked the more likely to add to their tally. The home side should have put the game to bed with seven minutes left but first Brody Robertson’s shot was saved and Marc Cooper’s follow up was blocked by the Church defence. 4 minutes into added time, Edwards had one final opportunity for Church but his header was off target and The Owls progressed to round 5. A case of what might have been for Alvechurch who should have been out of sight at half-time. Whatever Cleethorpes had at half-time worked wonders as the second 45 was a totally different game. An excellent afternoon’s entertainment and a really friendly club to visit.
Review
FA Vase
The only Midland Football League side definitely into round 5 are Division 1 Nuneaton Griff who produced a giant killing by knocking out Premier Division AFC Wulfrunians at Castlecroft. Griff were two up inside 8 minutes but Wulfs were level just after the half-hour mark thanks to a Kyle Brady brace. If a home win was anticipated, no-one told Griff who grabbed what was the winner just after the resumption, Ryan Millerchip with the goal. Griff’s reward is a home tie against second favourites for the competition, Salisbury FC. Alvechurch took an early lead in their tie at Cleethorpes Town but the home side turned it round after the break to go through 2-1. At Edgar Street, Hereford took a 3-1 lead into the break against Leicester Nirvana, but the elements were the winner with the game abandoned at half-time, and the sides must try again this Saturday.
Premier Division
The score line of the day came at Pack Meadow where Coleshill Town went on the rampage beating Dunkirk 10-1. Mykel Beckley scored three inside the first 20 minutes and both Shane Benjamin and Ricardo Reid bagged braces after the break. Loughborough University were the other big scorers on the day beating bottom club Continental Star 6-1. There were doubles for Ben Ward-Cochrane and Jeremiah Dasaolu. Comeback of the day came at Silkmore Lane. Visitors Coventry Sphinx raced into a 2 goal lead inside 21 minutes but a resurgent Brocton came back and won the game 4-2, veteran Paul McMahon with another couple. Heanor Town took advantage of Alvechurch being in cup action to move into second place with a 2-0 win over Stourport Swifts. Sporting Khalsa got back to winning ways with a 2-0 win over Westfields at the Aspray Arena. Shepshed Dynamo consolidated their place in the top 5 with a 2-1 win at Boldmere St Michaels courtesy of a Matt Langham double. Two goals in the last 15 minutes gave Walsall Wood all three points at Quorn.
Division 1
Only four games survived in Division 1 and the only winners with Atherstone Town who beat Southam United 2-1. Bottom club Stafford Town arguably had the result of the day, drawing 1-1 at high-flying Leicester Road, Kirk Lowe grabbing the equaliser for The Reds. Two sides struggling near the bottom picked up vital points in 2-2 draws. Heather St Johns picked up a point at 6th placed
Pilkington XXX while Pershore Town were held 2-2 by Cadbury Athletic. Coventry United extended their lead at the top courtesy of a 5-1 win at Pershore Town, the goals shared across the team.
Division 3
FC Stratford are the new leaders of Division 3 following a 7-1 demolition of Perrywood at Knights
Lane, Ashley Wilks taking his season’s tally to 19. A Peter Martin goal was enough to send Barton United 3rd with a 1-0 win over Badsey Rangers. At the bottom, AFC Solihull went down 3-1 at home to Coventrians for whom Dale Wigmore scored twice.
Polymac Packaging League Cup
A Josh Shepherd first half double sent Lye Town on their way to a quarter final place following a 4-0 win at Coventry Copsewood.
Challenge Vase
In form Alcester Town are through to the semi-finals of the Challenge Vase following a 2-1 win over Boldmere Sports & Social Falcons, Matt Layton with the winner from the penalty spot.
Les James Challenge Cup
The top two in Division 2 went head to head but it was visitors Droitwich Spa who reached the quarter final with a 2-1 win at Chelmsley Town.
County Cups
Pelsall Villa were knocked out of the Fazeley Charity Cup by lower league opposition going down 2-1 at FC Premier 2008. In the Staffordshire Vase, hat-tricks from Dave Yonwin and Tony Clarke gave Lichfield City a 6-0 win over Knypersley Victoria. Rostance Edwards are out, beaten 1-0 at home by Audley and District. Charlie Cook scored a hat-trick for Alvis Sporting Club as they made progress in the Coventry Charity Cup, 4-1 winners over Hawkesmill Sports. In the Birmingham Saturday Vase, Coton Green and Hampton progressed beating Northfield Town and Parkfield Amateurs respectively. Barnt Green Spartak were knocked out of the competition losing 2-0 at Wednesfield. In the Derbyshire Senior Cup, Heanor Town are through to the semi-finals following a 2-1 home win over Stapenhill. In the Birmingham Midweek Floodlit Cup, Nuneaton Griff eased past Cradley Town with a 2-0 victory, the goals courtesy of Aden Moore and Luke Shorthouse.
Reserves
Only one game in the reserve division where Continental Star beat Evesham United 2-1
Under 21s
Only one game survived with Kings Heath Concorde gaining a creditable 4-1 victory in the Trophy at H.O.W. Academy.
Weekend preview
FA Vase
Hereford and Leicester Nirvana must do it all over again after rain intervened at half-time in last weeks tie at Edgar Street. The Bulls held a half time lead in that game but by the showing of the first 45 minutes a close encounter is expected. Coleshill Town welcome Northern League Dunston UTS to Pack Meadow. Gateshead based Dunston are 4th in the Northern League and the FA Vase has seen a lot of Northern League winners in recent years. Coleshill warmed up their Vase tie with a 1-0 win over Dunkirk last week and will be hopeful of progressing through to the 5th round.
Premier Division
Alvechurch still have high hopes of catching leaders Hereford and they play one of their 6 games in hand this week at home to Stourport Swifts in a Worcestershire derby. Heanor Town could close the gap to single figures if they can win at free scoring Rocester. Shepshed Dynamo have climbed to 5th in the table on the back of four successive victories and they will want to make that 5 at home to Lye Town. Another side to have won four on the spin are Brocton, and they take this run to Boldmere St Michaels who sit one place below them in the table. Highgate United have only played 16 league games this season but at least they should see action this week when they travel to Loughborough University. Dunkirk will be looking for a reaction following last week’s 10 goal defeat at Coleshill. This week Bardon Hill are the visitors but a home win would see them climb above Coventry Sphinx in the table. Bottom side Continental Star travel to Long Eaton United who have their last two at home. Westfields are in desperate need of points near the foot of the table and they host a Walsall Wood side who have quietly moved into the top half of the table.
Division 1
Game of the day is at The Victoria Ground where second place Bromsgrove Sporting entertain 3rd placed Leicester Road. Leaders Coventry United have an awkward looking fixture away to top 6 Pilkington XXX. Lichfield City sit in 4th place and they should attract a decent crowd when Hinckley
AFC make the short journey up the A5. FA Vase heroes Nuneaton Griff are back in league action with a short trip to lowly Heather St Johns. Bottom club Stafford Town will want to build on last week’s excellent result and performance at Leicester Road when they travel to Racing Club Warwick. 2nd bottom Bolehall Swifts face a tough assignment at mid table Littleton. Southam United are level on points with Bolehall and they also have a tough looking game at home to Heath Hayes. Atherstone Town sit smack in the middle of the table and they are at home to Cadbury Athletic. Studley and Pershore Town are both in need of points and it could be quite a battle when the two sides meet at The Beehive.
Division 2
With the top three not in league action. Alvis Sporting Club can move up to 2nd with a home win over Paget Rangers. Sutton United can move to within 5 points of leaders Droitwich should they beat visitors Fairfield Villa. 12th plays 11th at The Coppice with Barnt Green Spartak entertaining Knowle, a win for either making an impact at the bottom of the table. 2nd bottom Feckenham can
close the gap to the clubs above them should they beat Austrey Rangers.
Division 3
Top entertains bottom this week when FC Stratford welcome AFC Solihull to Knights Lane. 2nd placed Leamington Hibernian can keep the pressure on the leaders with a win at Inkberrow. Barton
United and Badsey Rangers meet for the second time in a week with Barton edging last week’s
game. Lowly Perrywood entertain 5th placed Northfield Town hoping to open up the gap between themselves and AFC Solhull. Enville Athletic have a new man in charge as they travel to Coventrians looking to arrest their slide. In-form Alcester Town have won their last 5 in all competitions and they travel to Staffordshire to face mid table Burntwood Town. Two sides struggling for form meet at Boldmere as Sports & Social Falcons face Shipston Excelsior.
Reserves
Cadbury Athletic vs Gresley
Coventry United vs Romulus
Brocton vs Solihull Moors
Evesham United vs Lichfield City
Under 21
Kings Heath Concorde vs Stourport Swifts (U21S)
Anstey Nomads vs Bromsgrove Sporting (BOWL)
Heath Hayes vs H.O.W. Academy (BOWL)
Tamworth vs Gornal Athletic (BOWL)
Newcastle Town vs West Midlands Football Academy (BOWL)
Walsall Wood vs Sutton Coldfield Town (U21N)
Basford United vs Tipton Town (U21N)