League News
Heather St John's FC are looking for a Chairperson to join their Executive Committee. With a senior mens team playing in the Midland Football League (step 6 of the national league system), a senior Ladies Team and a juniors section comprising of 15 teams, the club seeks to continue its development. The facilities at St John's Park include 3 floodlit pitches, junior pitches and a clubhouse with dressing room facilities that are regarding amongst the best in non league football.
The successful candidate will help to bring direction and vision to an established and stable community club. Applications or enquiries should be made to the club secretary via email at
adrianrock@hotmail.co.uk or phone 07952633331.
Travels of the Press Officer
Saturday September 26th
Chasetown 5 Hinckley AFC 2
A visit to the Scholars is a good insight into the benefit of an FA Cup run. Back in 2008, Chasetown reached the 3rd round proper of the FA Cup where they entertained Cardiff City in front of live TC cameras. The money that Chasetown made in that cup run helped transform the Scholars ground to what we see today. Hinckley were the lowest ranked team left in the competition and were backed by a large following, substantially more than the home fans. The game started at a frantic place with Hinckley on top and seeing a shot from Luke Richards cleared off the line. Against the run of play, Chasetown took the lead, Paul Sullivan’s shot deflected past Sam Arnold. Hinckley continued to create chances but were denied by a mixture of poor finishing and excellent goalkeeping.
Immediately after the break, the visitors were level, Kris Ramsey-Dickson turning the ball home from a corner. With both sets of supporters sensing a cup shock, Chasetown had other ideas and they retook the lead 5 minutes later – Stan Mugisha tapping in following an excellent run and cross from Michael Williams. The third goal for Chasetown proved to be the decider and that came from the penalty spot. James Dance was dragged down in the area – a clear penalty for some, a harsh decision for others, and Dance himself converted the spot kick. The goal knocked the stuffing out of the visitors and Chasetown’s greater physical presence took its toll. Ryan Wynter added a 4th for Chasetown with a free header from a Dance flick. To Hinckley’s credit, back they came and Luke Richards gave them a glimmer of hope with an excellent finish. Alas, the comeback was not to be and Danny Edwards completed the scoring with a fine header. An excellent cup run for Hinckley ends but they can hold their heads up high after a job well done.
Tuesday September 29th
Sporting Khalsa 2 Long Eaton United 1
Work commitments meant a local game for me and with the Aspray Arena being 15 minutes from home, a no brainer for the game between FA Cup heroes and the joint table toppers. I wasn’t to be disappointed. Khalsa, fresh from their win at Basford United, started brightly and took the lead inside two minutes – goalscoring centre-back Tesfa Robinson at it again hammering home a loose ball. The visitors were not behind for long, Aaron Cole equalising from the penalty spot after Brad Wells was brought down. Both sides pressed for more goals and it was the home side that regained the lead in the 25th minutes when David Meese flicked home a Tim Jackson free-kick. Khalsa were reduced to ten men in the 32nd minute, Joe Rogers being shown a straight red adjudged to be the last man. From my position in the stand, I thought the referee got it right. Wells had the ball in the net for Long Eaton but the linesman’s flag was raised for offside. In the 43rd minute, Khalsa were reduced to 9 men, Carlo Franco being shown a second yellow card, another good decision by the referee. Surely it was only a matter of time that Long Eaton would make their numerical superiority county. If so, no-one told the home side, and with a stunning effort the Khalsa defence held firm, Keeper James Pemberton not having a save of note to make. Khalsa’s excellent week was confirmed at the final whistle as they condemned Long Eaton to their first defeat of the season.
Review
FA Cup
Two in, two out was the story of the FA Cup 2nd Qualifying round. Pride of place on Saturday went to
Sporting Khalsa who travelled to last year’s MFL champions, Basford United, Two goals from Craig
Bannister and one from Tesfa Robinson saw Khalsa through to a home tine against Evostik South Spalding United. On Sunday Coleshill Town were giant killers for the third round running, this time defeating Evostik Premier Division Stamford at The Lamb. Rob Evans opened the scoring early on and Simeon Cobourne made sure with a goal at the death. Coleshill’s reward is a trip to the seaside to face National North favourites AFC Fylde. Hinckley’s excellent cup run came to an end in a thriller at Chasetown, the home side running out 5-2 winners, a scoreline which did not reflect on the performance on the day. Dunkirk pushed Evostik Premier Stourbridge all the way at Amblecote before finally losing 3-1
Premier Division
It’s been a good week for Hereford who are top of the table on goal difference following two excellent away wins. Leading scorer John Mills bagged a brace as Hereford beat Boldmere St Michaels 3-0 and followed that up with 3 of the Bulls 6 at Walsall Wood. Heanor Town are second with two solid wins of their own. Kieran Debrouwer was on the scoresheet again with 2 in the 3-1 win over Highgate United and another in the 3-0 win at Continental Star, Andre Johnson with 2 in
that game. Alvechurch are 3rd with 8 consecutive league victories. Karl Edwards scored 2 in a 3-0 win at Shepshed Dynamo while new boy Jordan Nadat opened the scoring on Tuesday as they beat
Coventry Sphinx 3-1. Long Eaton United slip back to 4th, a win over Loughborough University maintaining their momentum until they were beaten by 9-man Sporting Khalsa at the Aspray Arena. Highgate United bounce back from their defeat at Heanor Town with a 6-1 win at managerless Dunkirk, Shane Benjamin with a hat-trick. Stourport Swifts have slipped up this week – two late goals earned them a point against Rocester but they suffered a 3-2 defeat at Brocton on Tuesday, for whom Dominic Dell scored twice. AFC Wulfrunians slip down the table following a dramatic game with Walsall Wood at Castlecroft. Wulfs equalising in the 90th minute before Drew Aiton
grabbed a winner for the Wood in the 5th minute of stoppage time. Continental Star remain bottom despite picking up their first win of the season with a 1-0 win over Bardon Hill. Bardon Hill bounced back from that defeat with a 2-0 win at inconsistent Rocester. Lye Town are slowly moving up the table, a 3-0 win over Brocton their latest result. A mixed week for Quorn with a 2-1 win over Westfields and a 2-1 defeat at Boldmere St Michaels. FA Cup heroes Coleshill Town and Westfields shared stories and goals on Tuesday, a 1-1 draw the outcome.
Division 1
Coventry United have a 5 point lead at the top, after a Josh O’Grady inspired win at Heather St Johns. Heather remain one off the bottom but saw basement side Bolehall Swifts close the gap when the two sides met at Rene Road, Swifts picking up their first points of the season with a 3-1 win. Nuneaton Griff remain second, a 3-0 win at Lichfield City keeping up their terrific goalscoring form. Littleton and Leicester Road are in close attendance with wins over Pershore Town and
Cadbury Athletic respectively. Bromsgrove Sporting sit 10 points off the top, a narrow win at Atherstone Town on Saturday maintaining their position. The Adders responded well to that defeat
picking up all three points with a midweek win at Pershore Town. At the bottom, Stafford Town suffered a heavy home defeat, going down 5-0 to Coventry Copsewood. Studley remain perilously close to the basement with a 2-0 defeat at Heath Hayes. Pelsall Villa are also in the lower reaches, a 3-1 home defeat at the hands of Southam United on Saturday with two goals for the Saints from Dan Purser. Two goals from Jamie Smith weren’t enough from Racing Club Warwick who lost 3-2 at Lichfield City.
Polymac Packaging League Cup
Shepshed Dynamo progressed to the next round with a comfortable 6-1 win over Loughborough
University, Michael Reeve with a hat-trick
Division 2
Chelmsley Town top the table after a 4-1 win at Barnt Green Spartak, Tom Ellis with a brace.
Another to grab two goals was Rhys Brade for Austrey Rangers in their 4-0 win over Hampton, the
result moving Austrey up to 6th
Division 3
Redditch Borough are up to second following a 5-1 win at Northfield Town. Barton United are 4th after a 3-1 local derby win over Burntwood Town. AFC Solihull are still waiting for their first MFL point, Shipston Excelsior proving too strong in a 4-0 defeat.
Les James Challenge Cup
Two acts of giant killing in the Challenge Cup this week. Coventrians beat Division Two high flyers
Rostance Edwards 3-2, while Division 3 leaders Smithswood Firs needed extra time to knock out
Division 2 Coton Green. Elsewhere there were wins for Sutton United at Alcester Town, Paget Rangers at Earlswood Town, Knowle at Leamington Hibernian and for Chelmsley Town at FC Stratford.
Challenge Vase
One tie in the Challenge Vase saw Boldmere Sports & Social Falcons edge past Enville Athletic on penalties.
Weekend preview
Premier Division
Only two games in the Premier Division this week and Heanor Town can go three points clear with a
win over Walsall Wood. Brocton can move up to 13th place if they can beat Coleshill Town at Silkmore Lane
Division 1
Only two games in Division 1 this weekend and Heath Hayes can move into the top 6 with a win over Cadbury Athletic. Atherstone Town and Pelsall Villa meet at Sheepy Road win a win for either moving them into the top half of the table.
FA Vase
Lots of ties in the FA Vase this weekend including the first appearance of Hereford in the competition as they travel to Bardon Hill. The draw has given us plenty of local derbies and the opportunities for MFL sides to progress. A couple of tasty all MFL games see Pilkington XXX host Alvechurch and Westfields entertain Littleton. Quorn, AFC Wulfrunians and Dunkirk face awkward looking away ties at Barrow Town, Bilston Town Community and Holwell Sports respectively. A big game for Coton Green as they entertain Division 1 big scorers Nuneaton Griff at New Mill Lane. Bolehall Swifts and Racing Club Warwick have difficult away games at Uttoxeter Town and Stone
win over Walsall Wood. Brocton can move up to 13th place if they can beat Coleshill Town at Silkmore Lane
Division 1
Only two games in Division 1 this weekend and Heath Hayes can move into the top 6 with a win over Cadbury Athletic. Atherstone Town and Pelsall Villa meet at Sheepy Road win a win for either moving them into the top half of the table.
FA Vase
Lots of ties in the FA Vase this weekend including the first appearance of Hereford in the competition as they travel to Bardon Hill. The draw has given us plenty of local derbies and the opportunities for MFL sides to progress. A couple of tasty all MFL games see Pilkington XXX host Alvechurch and Westfields entertain Littleton. Quorn, AFC Wulfrunians and Dunkirk face awkward looking away ties at Barrow Town, Bilston Town Community and Holwell Sports respectively. A big game for Coton Green as they entertain Division 1 big scorers Nuneaton Griff at New Mill Lane. Bolehall Swifts and Racing Club Warwick have difficult away games at Uttoxeter Town and Stone
win over Walsall Wood. Brocton can move up to 13th place if they can beat Coleshill Town at Silkmore Lane
Division 1
Only two games in Division 1 this weekend and Heath Hayes can move into the top 6 with a win over Cadbury Athletic. Atherstone Town and Pelsall Villa meet at Sheepy Road win a win for either moving them into the top half of the table.
FA Vase
Lots of ties in the FA Vase this weekend including the first appearance of Hereford in the competition as they travel to Bardon Hill. The draw has given us plenty of local derbies and the opportunities for MFL sides to progress. A couple of tasty all MFL games see Pilkington XXX host Alvechurch and Westfields entertain Littleton. Quorn, AFC Wulfrunians and Dunkirk face awkward looking away ties at Barrow Town, Bilston Town Community and Holwell Sports respectively. A big game for Coton Green as they entertain Division 1 big scorers Nuneaton Griff at New Mill Lane. Bolehall Swifts and Racing Club Warwick have difficult away games at Uttoxeter Town and Stone
game against Barnt Green Spartak.
Division 3
Bottom versus top this week as AFC Solihull host Smithswood Firs at Tudor Grange. Barton United can go second with a win at Enville Athletic while its 7th versus 6th as Badsey Rangers host unbeaten
FC Stratford. In form Boldmere Sports & Social Falcons entertain Alcester Town, Northfield Town host Perrywood and Inkberrow travel to Shipston Excelsior.
Presidents Cup
Alvis Sporting Club take their perfect record for this season to Fairfield Villa while Hampton welcome Sutton United.
Challenge Vase
The sides in 2nd and 3rd in Division 3 meet at The Valley with Redditch Borough at home to Leamington Hibernian in what promises to be a close tie.