Midland Football League Newsletter
14th August 2015
League News
QUORN FC JOINS BHF's NATION OF LIFESAVERS WITH A LIFE SAVING DEFIBRILLATOR
Quorn FC and its Local Community have been equipped with a lifesaving defibrillator, through a partnership between the Football Association (FA) and the British Heart Foundation (BHF).
Through the partnership, the BHF and the FA have made more than 900 defibrillators available to clubs at Steps 1 to 7 of the National League System and in the Women’s Super League to help prevent lives being needlessly lost following a cardiac arrest.
Over 30,000 cardiac arrests happen out of hospital in the UK every year but currently less than one in ten people survive. The BHF say many more lives can be saved through creating a Nation of Lifesavers by equipping people with the skills and confidence to perform CPR and use a defibrillator, The BHF is also putting systems in place to ensure defibrillators are available in the places they are needed most.
Quorn FC is the latest club to install a defibrillator, giving players, staff and fans access to the equipment needed to help save lives in their community. The club was also given information about the BHF's Call Push Rescue training kit which includes everything needed to learn CPR in less than half an hour.
Two thirds of the cost of the defibrillator was provided to the club by The FA and BHF. Quorn FC Secretary Reg Molloy said: "This vital piece of equipment could prove to be the difference between life and death and it's a welcome addition to this club and its community”
"The FA and BHF have made it possible for Quorn FC to become part of the Nation of Lifesavers which aims to improve the UK's poor cardiac arrest survival rates. Along with performing CPR, a defibrillator is a vital step that can increase a person's chance of survival and we're lucky that we now have the skills and equipment at the club to help save a Life”
The Club proudly wear the JHMT (Joe Humphries Memorial Trust) Logo on their away strip and have been promoting awareness of SADS (Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome), since learning of the tragic loss of Joe at the tender age of 14. The addition of this Defibrillator is
another step to help reduce the number of premature deaths.
Awareness around sudden cardiac arrests was heightened when former England Under-21 star Fabrice Muamba suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch at White Hart Lane in March 2012' Muamba lent his support to the BHF's Nation of Lifesavers campaign earlier this year, which calls for all young people to be taught lifesaving CPR skills and defibrillator awareness at secondary schools.
When someone suffers a cardiac arrest their heart stops pumping blood around the body. They stop breathing or do not breath normally, lose consciousness and there are no signs of life. lf you see this happen, you must call 999 and start CPR immediately. A defibrillator also known as a Public Access Defibrillator or PAD, gives the heart a controlled electrical shock during cardiac arrest. This can, in some circumstances, shock the heart back into a normal rhythm.
For every minute that passes without CPR and defibrillation, chances of survival decrease by around ten per cent. So it's really important supporters and staff at Quorn FC know these vital steps to help someone in an emergency.
The travels of the Press Officer
Saturday 8th August
Walsall Wood 1 Bardon Hill Sports 1
The opening league game of the season for newcomers Bardon Hill ended in honours even after a 11 draw with Walsall Wood. The Wood started the better and took the lead in the 7th minute with a super volley from Drew Aiton. Excellent goalkeeping from josh O’Brien kept the score at 1-0 into the break. Bardon hill were much improved after the break and grabbed a deserved equaliser through Richard Hanslow. Both goalkeepers were in fine form which augurs well for the season. Best moment in the game came from the Bardon hill bench. Frustrated at a perceived lack of defensive communication, the question was asked “Do you want a mobile so that you can text each other?”
Classic
Monday 10th August
Coventry Sphinx 2 Quorn 0
A glorious summer’s evening in Coventry as Quorn visited Sphinx Drive. After opening day defeats both sides wanted that first win and it was the home side that took the spoils with a comfortable 2-0 win. Ash Jackson curled a superb free-kick for the opener in the 9th minute but it took until the 57th for Mitch Piggon to settle things. Quorn had their chance but the finishing was well short of what was required on the night.
Tuesday 11th August
Stourport Swifts 2 Hereford FC 0
A chance to take in Hereford’s first away game in the MFL. Parking on the Riverside car park, I wandered into Stourport and it was heaving with shirted Bulls supporters. The fish and chips seemed to be going down well as was the liquid refreshment in any number of Stourport hostelries. Inside the ground, there was a carnival atmosphere with added catering, beer tents etc – Stourport put on an excellent show. The vast majority of the 1321 crowd were to go home unhappy as Swifts came out on top with a 2-0 victory. Ben Maund got the opener from the penalty spot, Nathan Summers being red carded for a professional foul. The 10 men pushed forward but Dominic Richards in goal for Stourport was in blistering form. Joe Phillips ensured the victory with a solo goal in the 83rd minute but football and the MFL was the real winner on the evening.
Wednesday 12th August
Continental Star 1 Alvechurch 2
Both sides suffered disappointing home defeats on the opening day. Alvechurch, fancied by many to win the title this year, took the lead in the 6th minute, Leigh Downing supplying an excellent finish. There was some controversy surrounding the goal, the linesman raising a flag, lowering a flag, and then not being consulted by the referee. No idea what that was about! Alvechurch doubled their lead after half an hour when Jordan McIntosh headed into his own net. The visitors had all of the play but conceded a penalty with 20 minutes left – James Reid hammering home the spot kick. Things looked nervy for the visitors but they held on for a valuable three points
I will be taking in a couple of FA Cup ties as well as league games this week. Definitely scheduled are
Coleshill Town vs Ellesmere Rangers
Hinckley AFC vs Walsall Wood
Week review
Premier Division
What a start with 7 clubs making a perfect start. Top of the pile are Lye Town with two thumping away wins and 9 goals in the bank. Close on their heels are Long Eaton United, no goals conceded and 5 different scorers. AFC Wulfrunians followed up their excellent win at Alvechurch with a narrow win over Brocton in midweek. Highgate United, Stourport Swifts, Shepshed Dynamo and Heanor Town are also 6 out of 6 with plenty of goals being scored. New boys Sporting Khalsa started with a bang, bagging 5 goals against Coleshill Town but slipped up in midweek at Dunkirk, who bounced back from an opening defeat in front of 4.060 at Hereford. 6 sides are looking for their first points of the season. Loughborough University prop up the table on goal difference conceding 6 and not scoring while Brocton are also on -6 but did at least score at Castlecroft. Quorn, Rocester, Continental Star and Boldmere St Michaels will be hoping to get their season’s under way next weekend.
Division 1
Two new boys sit proudly at the top of Division 1. Leicester Road and Coventry United have the only 100% records and both have put down significant markers for promotion. Leicester Road followed up a 5-0 win over Pershore with a last gasp winner at Stafford Town. Coventry United opened up with a 2-0 win at Littleton before a 4-0 demolition of Hinckley at St John’s Park. Only Bolehall Swifts and Stafford Town remain pointless after the opening two games. Bolehall suffered a 5-0 defeat at home to Cadbury Athletic in midweek and already have a minus 7 goal difference.
Weekend Preview
Premier Division
One solitary Premier Division game with Highgate United entertaining Hereford FC. Highgate have started well on their return to the top flight and will be looking to take an early lead at the top of the table. The Bulls will want to bounce back from their midweek defeat at Stourport and could join the frontrunners with a victory.
Division 1
Game of the day sees Coventry United host Lichfield City at Sphinx drive. Both sides have started the season well and this will be a stern test of their promotion credential. League leaders Leicester Road travel to unbeaten Pilkington XXX who had a good win in midweek. Atherstone Town will be hoping to get their first win of the season at home to Racing Club Warwick while Pershore Town will be looking to build on their midweek victory when they entertain Heather St John’s. In the other games, Pelsall Villa host Coventry Copsewood, Stafford Town take on Littleton at Evans Park while Nuneaton Griff travel to Studley.
Division 2
With a solitary game in Division 2 last week, the season gets properly underway with a full fixture list. Coton Green are sitting pretty after last week’s win at Austrey Rangers and they entertain Alvis Sporting Club. Chelmsley Town host Barnt Green Spartak after a decent pre-season while Droitwich
Spa take on Hampton. Paget Rangers travel to Earlswood Town with Fairfield Villa at home to
Sutton United. Austrey Rangers will be looking to respond to last week’s defeat when they travel to Knowle while Rostance Edwards, who had a good end to pre-season welcome Feckenham to The Red Lion.
Division 3
League new boys AFC Solihull have a home game to start the new era with Enville Athletic being the visitors. Fellow newcomers Shipston Excelsior are on their travels to face Barton United. Alcester Town and Burntwood Town meet at Old Stratford Road with some good pre-season performances behind them. Badsey Rangers welcome Northfield Town; Boldmere Sports & Social Falconsface FC Stratford while Redditch Borough welcome Leamington Hibernian to the valley. Smithswood Firs have recruited well and they meet Perrywood at Mackadown.
FA Cup
On Friday Coleshill Town have a home tie against Ellesmere Rangers at Tamworth FC. Coleshill should be expected to progress against an Ellesmere side that has won one lost one in the league this season. Premier Division meets Division 1 at Alvechurch as the Churchmen face Heath Hayes, who made a good start to the season. Three all Premier Division ties sees Bardon Hill at home to Dunkirk, Brocton at home to Stourport Swifts and Boldmere St Michaels at home to Rocester. Big game at St John’s Park with Hinckley AFC’s first FA Cup tie at home to Premier Division Walsall Wood. Heanor Town travel to former MFL side Kirby Muxloe while in form Long Eaton United will be expected to beat Harrowby Town. Loughborough University have a third successive home game entertaining Barrow Town. Lye Town versus Coventry Sphinx has been moved to Bromsgrove Sporting and could be a cracking cup tie. Sporting Khalsa travel to West Midlands Malvern town who have lost their two opening games of the season. Quorn will want to get their season started at home to Oadby Town. Shepshed Dynamo should be too strong for Retford United at The Dovecote while Southam United will fancy a giant killing at home to AFC Wulfrunians. There is a Herefordshire derby at Allpay Park as Westfields take on Pegasus Juniors. Bromsgrove Sporting have a tricky looking tie away at Gornal Athletic while Cadbury Athletic will be optimistic when they take on a troubled Tipton Town at Tipton Sports Academy. On Sunday. Continental Star will expect to get past Division 1 Bolehall Swifts at Dales Lane. Both sides are pointless after two league games but home advantage could make the difference