League News
FA Cup
The draw has been made for the 1st Qualifying Round of the FA Cup to take place on the weekend of
September 3rd. Fixtures involving MFL sides are as follows: -
Matlock Town vs Heanor Town
Westfields vs St Ives Town
Halesowen Town vs Coleshill Town
Highgate United vs Leamington
Leicester Road vs Kirby Muxloe
Coventry United vs Bedworth United
Amanda Jones, the Secretary of Heanor Town, is participating in Brave the Shave on Sunday 28thAugust. All donations via the link at the bottom
This is a national campaign run by Macmillan to raise funds for helping people in their homes when suffering from Terminal Cancer. I feel the need to do this as I lost my Dad to cancer 2 years ago, he was a huge Character and kit man at Heanor Town for a number of years. He got diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus in November 2013 and we were informed in December 2013 that he only had a year to live. He was offered palliative chemotherapy but after 2 sessions this was withdrawn as it was making him too ill. By February of the following year, he was confined to bed at home and I finished work for a couple of months to help mum care for him. He lost his battle with the disease in April 2014 just 4 months after being diagnosed.
We couldn't have got through it without the help we had from Macmillan they provided the whole family with support on hearing my Dads Diagnosis and they helped my Dad come to terms with what was happening to him. In the latter stages of his life, they also provided carers so that we as a family could spend quality time with him and also have time for ourselves to come to terms with what was happening.
Both my Family and I still miss him terribly but I feel that I am now ready to raise awareness of the disease and help other families who find themselves in the same position as we did and hope to raise somewhere in the region of £1500 for Macmillan to continue their outstanding work in providing care for people who face this horrible disease on a daily basis.
The shave will take place next Sunday at Heanor Town Football Club at 5.00pm approximately and I would ask people if they could to donate on the below link or contact me directly if they don't wish to donate online.
https://bravetheshave.org.uk/shavers/amanda-jones-2/
Travels of the Press Officer
Friday, August 19th
FA Cup Preliminary Round (8)
Heanor Town 3 Long Eaton United 2
With an away tie at Matlock Town on offer for the victors, these two sides were expected to provide a close battle at The Town Ground. Long Eaton started the brighter. In the 5th minutes, a deep ball from Deon Meikle had Heanor keeper Joe McCormack scrambling back but the ball dropped just over the bar. The Long Eaton front three of Ricketts, Kevin Hemagou and Jerome O'Connor were proving a threat and a cross from O'Connor caught Rickets marginally offside. In the 15th minute,
Lomg Eaton keeper, Jamie Hannis reacted well to take the ball off the foot of Nathan Benger.
Heanor were gradually posing more of a threat and a low ball from Kennan Layton was saved by Hannis. In the 26th minute. An excellent corner from Layton caused panic in the Long Eaton defence but no-one could convert. As Heanor played the ball forward, Joe Naylor raced through on goal but Hannis saved well from an excellent shot. Heanor were now having a good spell and Kieran Debrouwer and Elliott Reeves forced saves from Hannis. Hemagou had a half chance for Long Eaton but volleyed wide from Tom Marshall's knock down. In the 38th minute, Hemagou turned his defender inside out but his cross was just behind Ricketts. Long Eaton took the lead in the 40th minute. An excellent break down the left from O'Connor was played inside and Rickets made no mistake. In stoppage time, another Layton corner was headed goalwards by Benger but Hannis saved well.
Heanor were back on level terms 5 minutes after the break. A Layton corner was headed goalwards by Debrouwere and captain Chris Smith was on hand to turn it home from close range. Back came Long Eaton and O’Connor twice went close, seeing a volley blocked and a shot saved at the near post by McCormack. Long Eaton regained the lead in the 64th minute. An excellent through ball from
Kuwesi Ofushine picked out O'Coonor who nipped in in front of McCormack to slot home. The weather now deteriorated with gale force winds and driving rain making it difficult to control the ball. Heanor were not giving this one up and equalised in the 832nd minute When Smith lashed home a loose ball for his second. In the 88th minute, tempers frayed when O'Connor reacted to a strong challenge from Smith. The referee consulted his linesman and decided to show O'Connor a yellow card but the time it took to reach the decision were to become crucial. In the 7th minute of stoppage time, Heanor were awarded a free-kick to the right of the penalty area. Debrouwere delivered the perfect ball into the box and Naylor supplied a superb headed finish to send Heanor through to the next round.
A fantastic cup-tie and a great comeback from the Lions.
Saturday, August 20th
FA Cup preliminary Round (9)
Hereford 4 Alvechurch 2
These two sides served up stirring battles last season as they slugged it out for the MFl title.
Champions Hereford had started life in the Southern League in fine fettle, winning their first four games. The crowd of the round had turned up at Edgar Street to see who would make it to the 1st qualifying round. Alvechurch shocked Hereford by taking the lead after just 52 seconds. Jamie Willetts found Jack Cresswell on the edge of the area. Cresswell stepped up and planted the free-kick into the corner with Martin Horsell rooted to the spot. Worse was to follow for the Bulls in the 11th minute. Cresswell sent Josh Sarmento running clear and the young Portuguese winger, supplied a wonderful finish to put Church 2-0 ahead. In the 14th minute, Andrew Parsons was just off target as Alvechurch dominated. Sarmento went close to a second in the 29th minute, cutting inside from the left and forcing Horsell into a fine save. Hereford’s first attempt on goal came in the 32nd minute whenPablo Haysham hit the side netting.
Hereford made a change at half-time bring on Mike Symons to add physicality and guile to the front line. However it was Alvechurch who had the next chance, Simon Williams volleying over from Cresswell’s pass. Hereford had a decent chance in the 64th minute when Chris Barker headed over at the back post from a Haysham free-kick. In the 66th minute, a cross from Zack Foster was dropping underneath the bar forcing Horsell to tip over. The introduction of former Westfields striker Jamie Cuss made an immediate impact. Hereford pulled a goal back in the 67th minute when Cuss managed to get the wrong side of the Alvechurch defence and played the ball inside to John Mills who made no mistake – Hereford's first shot on target in the game. Within a minute the home side were level, The ball was played across the area, Symons touched it on and there was Cuss at the far post to tap it home. The whole complexion of the game had changed and Haysham volleyed over as the Bulls turned the screw. They took the lead in the 70 the minute, their third goal in 4 minutes. A long throw fell at the feet of Symons and he volleyed home. It was ll Hereford now, and Cuss and Mills combined only for Mills to hit the outside of the post. In the 86th minute, Alvechurch though they had levelled as Josh March's diving header flew past Horsell into the net. Unfortunately for Church, the linesman's flag was up for offside. Down the other end came Hereford and when Connor Deards tripped Haysham, the referee had no option other than to award a penalty. Up stepped Mills to make it 4-2 an unfair reflection on an excellent performance from Alvechurch.
Tuesday, August 23rd
Premier Division (10)
Walsall Wood 3 Brocton 1
My first visit of the season to Oak Park, and as usual the welcome from all involved is warm and friendly. The Wood are constantly in the top 6 of the division and with an improved squad this season are expected to challenge. Visitors Brocton have conceded 17 goals in two previous away game and are looking for a significant improvement. With players unavailable due to holiday and injury, they had strengthened prior to the game bringing in Michael Williams from Hednesford Town on dual registration. There was also a place in the starting line up for Harry Flowers, the grandson of former England international Ron Flowers. It was the home side that started the quickest, new signing Mick Wright volleying wide in the 2nd minute. Sam Williams was also off target with another effort for The Wood before they took the lead in the 11th minute. Full-back Luke Adams found space on the right and his inch-perfect cross was finished first-time by Joey Butlin. Within 5 minutes,
Walsall Wood doubled their lead. Adams was again the creator, his cross missed by Harry Harris but Butlin was on hand to score his second. Adams was being given far too much space and from another cross, Butlin chested into the path of Wright whose shot was blocked. Harris was just wide with a free-kick but Brocton gradually managed to establish a foothold in the game. Wood keeper
Curtis Pond reacted quickly, racing off his line to clear the ball away from the dangerous Jack Edwards. A free-kick from David Berks was comfortably held by Pond. In the 36th minute, Butlin went close to a hat-trick but his shot was turned past the post by Aiden Stone. Brocton pulled a goal back 4 minutes before the break when Williams played the ball into the box and Berks tapped it home. Two minutes into first-half stoppage time, Wood increased their lead. Wright's volley looked to be going wide but it was headed past his own keeper by Ben Taylor.
The Wood really should have sewn up all three points 6 minutes after the break but Richard Huckfield inexplicably headed wide when unmarked. Brocton were having more of the play and substitute Domin Greene rode a couple of challenges before shooting wide. Corey Carruthers thought he had scored for the home side but Stone smothered the ball on the line. With two minutes left, a brilliant save from Pond turned away a Dan Lomas volley for the Badgers. In stoppage time, a mistake by Stone, gave an open goal to Carruthers however he managed to hit the post and the danger was past. A candidate for miss of the season in August!
A tale of two halves with Walsall Wood getting the early lead and sitting on it. Brocton came back and looked stronger as the match wore on. A deserved victory for the home side but encouraging signs for the Badgers.
Review
FA Cup
Pride of place in the Preliminary Round goes to Leicester Road who beat Step 5 opponents to set up a home tie with Kirby Muxloe. Harborough Town were the visitors and they were despatched 3-1 with goals from Tom McGlinchey, Greg Downes and Matty Stenson. Coventry United set up an intriguing local derby with Bedworth United after they beat Division 1 Lichfield City by 5 goals to one, Josh O’Grady netting twice. Bedworth United progressed by beating Rocester 3-2 despite being reduced to 10-men., in a game of four penalties. Brocton had a second successive Saturday to forget as they were trounced 9-0 at Chasetown. The Badgers were 4-0 down inside 20 minutes and then conceded 5 goals in the last 25 minutes, Jack Langston scoring three for Chasetown. Coleshill Town are on the FA Cup trail again following a 4-0 win over Dudley Sports at Pack Meadow. Their reward is a trip to Step 3 Halesowen Town. Alvechurch came close to upsetting Hereford at Edgar Street. Church took the lead after just 52 seconds and doubled it in the 11th minute. Hereford’s first shot on target came in the 67th minute but it resulted in a goal and within three minutes they had taken the lead, 4-2 the final score. A goal 4 minutes from time from McCauley Manning sent Highgate United through at the expense of league rivals Boldmere St Michaels. LyeTown travelled to Staffordshire to tackle step 4 Kidsgrove Athletic but it was the home side that prevailed with a 2-0 victory.
Loughborough University had high hopes of causing an upset against Gresley but a first half sending off handed the advantage to the visitors who won 4-1. Bromsgrove Sporting had the better of the game against Rugby Town at Butlin Road but their efforts were in vain as a David Kolodynski goal 7 minutes from time gave Rugby the victory. There will be no cup run for Sporting Khalsa this season as they were beaten 2-1 by Romulus at the Aspray Arena. Westfields have started the season in imperious form and they put visitors Tividale to the sword, winning 5-1. James Baldwin scored twice as Westfields were 5 goals to the good after 26 minutes. Their reward is a home tie against Southern premier, St Ives Town.
Premier Division
Shepshed Dynamo made it two wins out of three with a comfortable 5-1 victory over AFC Wulfrunians with Michael Reeve scoring twice. Walsall Wood lost their 100% record as they were beaten 3-0 by Quorn at Oak Park. Quorn take over at the top of the table picking up 7 points from their opening three games.
Tividale picked up their first point of the season with a 1-1 draw at Coventry Sphinx on Monday evening, Jamie Hunt with a second-half equaliser. On Tuesday, Walsall Wood took over at the top of the table with a 3-1 win over Brocton, two goals inside the first 16 minutes from Joey Butlin sending them on their way. Coventry United lost their 100% record, going down to a heavy defeat at Coleshill Town, 4-0 the final score. Another 100% record to go was that of Long Eaton United, beaten 3-1 at Loughborough University for whom Matthew Crookes netted twice. The win moves the Students up to 3rd place. Lye Town are just one place back following a 1-0 win at Alvechurch, Ben Bellingham with the goal. Rocester are still looking for their first points of the campaign. Isaac Jagroup scored both goals for Highgate United in a 2-1 win. Also to break their duck are Shawbury United who were beaten 3-1 at Stourport Swifts.
Westfields made it three wins out of three without conceding on Wednesday when they edged past Boldmere St Michaels thanks to a Jamie Molyneux goal. Sporting Khalsa are still searching for their first points off the season as they went down 2-1 at Heanor Town. Quorn returned to the top of the table with a 2-1 win over St Andrews at Farley Way
Division 1
Nuneaton Griff lost their 100% record as they were beaten 3-2 by Studley at The Beehive. Connoll Farrell scored twice for Studley who pick up their first points of the season. Racing Club Warwick and Cadbury Athletic remain unbeaten as they fought out a 2-2 draw at Townsend Meadow.
Bromsgrove Sporting maintained their 100% record with a 3-0 win over Hinckley AFC in front of 424 at The Victoria Ground, Ahmed Ali scoring twice. They are joined on maximum points by Lichfield City who took the first points of the season off Atherstone Town with a 5-0 win. Jordan Evans and Luke Chapman both scored twice for Lichfield. Racing Club Warwick are third following a 3-1 win over promoted Chelmsley Town, Jamie Smith scoring twice. There was a seven-goal thriller at St Johns Park as Heather St Johns beat Uttoxeter Town 4-3, Joel Ambulu and Nathaniel Lewars with a two apiece. A Jamie Clarke double gave Pershore Town their first points of the season in a 2-0 win over Southam United. Coventry Copsewood remain without a point following a 2-0 defeat at Cadbury Athletic. Stafford Town are also searching for their first point, losing 3-1 at Leicester Road. Brad Grice scored a hat-trick for Heath Hayes as they won 3-2 at Pelsall Villa.
On Wednesday, ten-man Nuneaton Griff were beaten 3-0 by Bolehall Swifts at The Pingles Stadium. Littleton picked up their first win of the season beating Studley 3-1 at 5Acres.
Division 2
Barnt Green Spartak take over the top spot, a Kevon Henry goal giving them all three points at Redditch Borough. Fairfield Villa are level on points with Spartak after they picked up all 3 points in a 3-1 win at Leamington Hibernian. Knowle lost their 100% record with a 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Paget Rangers. George Ford scored 4 times as Sutton United beat Bloxwich Town 5-1.
Daniel Campbell scored twice for Coton Green in a 3-0 victory over Hampton at New Mill Lane. Feckenham bounced back from their heavy defeat at the hands of Droitwich Spa picking up a point in a goalless draw at Alvis Sporting Club. Earlswood Town picked up their first win of the season, beating Continental Star 2-0 at The Pavilions.
There were goals aplenty at the Entaco on Tuesday as Feckenham beat Earlswood Town 4-3. Mark O’Donnell scored twice for Earlswood but he was surpassed by George Tolley who scored a hat-trick for the Millers.
Division 3
Montpellier are the early leaders, beating Northfield Town 5-1 at Badsey to keep up their 100% start to the season. Lee Hendrie and Simeon Smith both scoring twice for the Pellers. Fellow newcomers NKF Burbage are also on 6 points after a 2-0 home win over Shipston Excelsior. FC Stratford made it two wins out of two with a 4-1 victory at Boldmere Sports & Social Falcons. Inkberrow started their season with an emphatic 5-0 victory at Castle Vale Town, 5 different players on the scoresheet. Barton United picked up their first points of the season with a 2-0 win over Enville Athletic. Alcester
Town beat Coventrians 2-0 at Old Stratford Road. Moors Academy picked up their first points in the Midland Football League, a goal from skipper Liam Taylor enough to beat AFC Solihull at Tudor Grange.
There was a seven-goal thriller at the Beehive as Moors Academy edged out Inkberrow 4-3, Romario Martin with a brace.
Reserves
Gresley 0 Cadbury Athletic 1
Lichfield City 10 (TEN) Tipton Town 3
Rocester 7 Coton Green 0
Romulus 5 Brocton 3
Preview
Premier Division
August Bank Holiday weekend brings a double-header of fixtures for all of our teams. Brocton have had a mixed start to the season and they welcome Shepshed Dynamo to Silkmore Lane in another tough encounter. Both sides have struggled on their travels with heavy defeats. Coventry United lost their 100% record in midweek with a heavy defeat at Coleshill Town. AFC Wulfrunians won their opening game but have lost heavily in their last two games and a trip to Sphinx Drive will be tough for them. Highgate United have started the season well and they welcome Boldmere St Michaels to The Coppice. The Mikes are finding it tough with a succession of away games due to their own ground not being ready and it will not get any easier this week. Last year's runner-up Alvechurch have made a disappointing star5t with just two points from their opening three games. They travel to Long Eaton United who themselves come into the game on the back of two defeats after a fine start. Rocester have made a slow start to the season with three straight defeats. Unbeaten Coventry Sphinx are the visitors to Hillsfield on the back of a midweek draw against Tividale. Two of the promoted sides meet at Wem with Shawbury United hosting St Andrews, both sides looking for points. Two sides with contrasting starts are Sporting Khalsa and Lye Town, with Lye unbeaten in three. Khalsa will want to kick-start their season at The Aspray Arena. Quorn have made an excellent start to the season sitting on top of the table after 4 games. They travel to Stourport Swifts who have responded with two wins following an opening day defeat. Tividale have found points hard to come by following their relegation from the Evostik League. Visitors Loughborough University have started brightly with seven points from their opening 3 games. Walsall Wood went top of the table on Tuesday evening and welcome free-scoring Coleshill Town to Oak Park in an attractive looking fixture. Westfields have started the season on fire and they entertain a Heanor Town side that have had a mixed start to the season.
Bank Holiday Monday
Coventry Sphinx v Coleshill Town
Heanor Town v Long Eaton United
Highgate United v Alvechurch
Loughborough University v Quorn
Rocester v Brocton (1945)
St Andrews v Shepshed Dynamo
Sporting Khalsa v Walsall Wood
Stourport Swifts v Westfields
Tividale v Lye Town
Tuesday 30th August
AFC Wulfrunians v Shawbury United (1945)
Coventry United v Boldmere St Michaels (1945)
Division 1
Atherstone Town welcome Pershore Town to Sheepy Road hoping to bounce back from the 5 goal defeat at Lichfield City in midweek. Bromsgrove Sporting have started the campaign with a hat-trick of wins with no goals concede and they take their table-topping form to Cadbury Athletic, themselves unbeaten in four games. FA Cup giant killers Leicester Road travel to Pack Meadow to face newly promoted Chelmsley Town. Coventry Copsewood are still looking for their first points of the season and they travel to Staffordshire to face Heath Hayes. Racing Club Warwick have made an unbeaten start to the season and they travel to St Johns Park to face Hinckley AFC who have stuttered so far. Lichfield City have a 100% record with three wins and they welcome Stafford Town to the McDonalds Community Stadium. Town are yet to pick up a point and a Staffordshire derby could be the best time to start. Nuneaton Griff have started the season in great goalscoring form and they welcome a revitalised Pelsall Villa to the Pingles Stadium. Another side to have made a good start are Heather St Johns and they travel to Southam United who are yet to score this season. Studley welcome Bolehall Swifts to the Beehive with both sides making inconsistent starts to the campaign. Uttoxeter Town entertain Littleton at Oldfield Sports Club with both sides looking for the win to get their season moving.
Bank Holiday Monday
Bolehall Swifts v Heath Hayes
Cadbury Athletic v Studley
Heather St Johns v Bromsgrove Sporting
Leicester Road v Atherstone Town
Nuneaton Griff v Hinckley AFC
Pelsall Villa v Stafford Town
Pershore Town v Racing Club Warwick
Southam United v Coventry Copsewood
Uttoxeter Town v Lichfield City
Tuesday 30th August
Chelmsley Town v Littleton
Division 2
Barnt Green Spartak are the early leaders of Division 2 with 7 points out of 9. They travel to promoted Smithswood Firs still searching for their first point of the season. Feckenham are level on points with Spartak and have seen 19 goals in their four games this season. They travel to Sutton United who have seen 16 goals in their three games. Knowle lost their 100% record last weekend but can move to the top with a win over Continental Star at The Robins Nest. Alvis Sporting Club are yet to concede a goal and they take this record to Earlswood Town. Hampton have picked up one point in three games and they welcome promoted Redditch Borough to the Sports Club.
Bank Holiday Monday
Alvis Sporting Club v Redditch Borough
Bloxwich Town v Paget Rangers
Continental Star v Barnt Green Spartak
Coton Green v Sutton United
Droitwich Spa v Fairfield Villa
Earlswood Town v Hampton
Feckenham v Knowle
Smithswood Firs v Leamington Hibernian
Division 3
FC Stratford have a 100% record and will go top if they avoid defeat at home to Northfield Town.
Bank Holiday Monday
Boldmere Sports & Social Falcons v AFC Solihull
Castle Vale Town v Barton United
Moors Academy v FC Stratford
NKF Burbage v Coventrians
Northfield Town v Alcester Town
Shipston Excelsior v Inkberrow
The Les James Memorial Challenge Cup Round 1
Alcester Town welcome Boldmere Sports & Social Falcons to Old Stratford Road. Boldmere have lost their opening two league games and will be hoping the cup can bring a relief. Bloxwich Town have started with three straight defeats in the league and they welcome undefeated Droitwich Spa to the Old Red Lion Ground. Division 3 AFC Solihull face a tough challenge when they travel to Division 2 Coton Green. Fairfield Villa have made an excellent start to the season in Division 2 and they host Division 3 Enville Athletic have lost their solitary game. Leamington Hibernian have made an encouraging start to life in Division 2 and they welcome one of their promotion rivals from last season, Shipston Excelsior to Bishops Tachbrook. Two league newcomers with 100% records meet in the tie of the round at Badsey Recreation Club as Montpellier welcome NKF Burbage.
Challenge Vase Round 1
Castle Vale Town have started life in the Midland Football League with two defeats and they make their debut in the Vase with a trip to Barton United.
Reserves
Romulus v Cadbury Athletic (Trophy)
Tipton Town v Continental Star (Trophy)