Total Motion
Midland Football League
Newsletter
8th August 2018
League News
FCV International Football Academy have an August Development Camp where they are hosting taster sessions for Day students in the local area. The information is that 14-17 year old’s in and around the Stamford area can come along any day during between Tuesday 14th August to Wednesday 22nd August for a taster session of life at the FCV Academy free of charge. We ask any interested parties to email bwatts@internationalfootball.academy to register their interest.
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| The draws have been made for the early rounds of the various MFL Cup Competitions:- LEAGUE CUP ROUND 1 |
| Stapenhill |
v |
South Normanton Athletic |
Tues 25 Sep |
| Uttoxeter Town |
v |
Dunkirk |
Thur 27 Sep |
| Heather St Johns |
v |
N K F Burbage |
Tues 25 Sep |
| Quorn |
v |
Loughborough University |
Wed 26 Sep |
| Sporting Khalsa |
v |
Walsall Wood |
Tues 25 Sep |
| Heath Hayes |
v |
Brocton |
Tues 25 Sep |
| Westfields |
v |
Stourport Swifts |
Mon 24 Sep |
| FC Stratford |
v |
Worcester City |
Tues 25 Sep |
| Chelmsley Town |
v |
Paget Rangers |
Mon 24 Sep |
| Romulus |
v |
Atherstone Town |
Mon 24 Sep |
| Bolehall Swifts |
v |
Coventry Copsewood |
Tues 25 Sep |
| LEAGUE CUP ROUND 2 |
| Ilkeston Town |
v |
Rocester |
Tues 25 Sep |
| Stapenhill / South Normanton Athletic |
v |
Lichfield City |
| Long Eaton United |
v |
Uttoxeter Town / Dunkirk |
| Heather St John’s / NKF Burbage |
v |
Nuneaton Griff |
| Coventry United |
v |
Bolehall Swifts / Coventry Copsewood |
| Coventry Sphinx |
v |
Leicester Road |
Tues 25 Sep |
| Quorn / Loughborough University |
v |
Hinckley AFC |
| G N P Sports |
v |
Shepshed Dynamo |
Wed 26 Sep |
| Heath Hayes / Brocton |
v |
Sporting Khalsa / Walsall Wood |
| Wolverhampton S C |
v |
AFC Wulfrunians |
Tues 25 Sep |
| Racing Club Warwick |
v |
Westfields / Stourport Swifts |
| Highgate United |
v |
FC Stratford / Worcester City |
| Littleton |
v |
Studley |
Wed 26 Sep |
| Boldmere St Michaels |
v |
Lye Town |
Tues 25 Sep |
| Chelmsley Town / Paget Rangers |
v |
Cadbury Athletic |
| Coton Green |
v |
Romulus / Atherstone Town |
| LES JAMES CHALLENGE CUP ROUND 1 |
| Northfield Town |
v |
Bartestree |
Sat 22 Sep |
| AFC Church |
v |
AFC Solihull |
Sat 29 Sep |
| Alcester Town |
v |
Hampton |
Sat 25 Aug |
| Coton Green |
v |
Birmingham Tigers |
Sat 25 Aug |
| Earlswood Town |
v |
FC Stratford |
Sat 15 Sep |
| Fairfield Villa |
v |
Moors Academy |
Sat 25 Aug |
| Coventrians |
v |
Leamington Hibernian |
Sat 15 Sep |
| Central Ajax |
v |
Boldmere Sports |
Sat 1 Sep |
| Bolehall Swifts |
v |
Continental Star |
Sat 25 Aug |
| Enville Athletic |
v |
Shipston Excelsior |
Sat 22 Sep |
| Coventry Alvis |
v |
Coventry Plumbing |
Sat 1 Sep |
| Barnt Green Spartak |
v |
G N P Sports |
Sat 8 Sep |
| Inkberrow |
v |
Castle Vale Town |
Sat 22 Sep |
| Knowle |
v |
FC Shush |
Sat 25 Aug |
| Redditch Borough |
v |
Feckenham |
Sat 25 Aug |
| WLV Football |
v |
Lane Head |
Sat 25 Aug |
| PRESIDENTS CUP ROUND 1 |
| Lane Head |
v |
Coventry Alvis |
Sat 29 Sep |
| Redditch Borough |
v |
Hampton |
| G N P Sports |
v |
Boldmere Sports |
Sat 15 Sep |
| FC Stratford |
v |
Northfield Town |
| Fairfield Villa |
v |
Coton Green |
| Barnt Green Spartak |
v |
Earlswood Town |
Sat 25 Aug |
| Feckenham |
v |
Moors Academy |
Sat 1 Sep |
| Knowle |
v |
Bolehall Swifts |
Sat 22 Sep |
| CHALLENGE VASE ROUND 1 |
| Coventry Plumbing |
v |
Castle Vale Town |
Sat 25 Aug |
| FC Shush |
v |
Alcester Town |
Sat 1 Sep |
| Bartestree |
v |
Birmingham Tigers |
Sat 29 Sep |
| AFC Church |
v |
WLV Football |
Sat 8 Sep |
| Shipston Excelsior |
v |
Enville Athletic |
Sat 8 Sep |
| Inkberrow |
v |
Continental Star |
Sat 1 Sep |
| Leamington Hibernian |
v |
Castle Vale Town |
Sat 25 Aug |
| Central Ajax |
v |
Coventrians |
Sat 25 Aug |
| CHALLENGE BOWL ROUND 1 |
| Lichfield City |
v |
Aylestone Park |
Sat 8 Sep |
| Milton Keynes College |
v |
Continental Star |
Sat 8 Sep |
| Brocton |
v |
Boldmere St Michaels |
Sat 22 Sep |
| Evesham United |
v |
Kidderminster Harriers |
Sat 15 Sep |
| Lutterworth Town |
v |
Tamworth |
Sat 8 Sep |
| Bedworth United |
v |
Lye Town |
Sat 8 Sep |
| Highgate United |
v |
AFC Rushden & Diamonds Elite |
Sat 8 Sep |
| Allexton & New Parks |
v |
Rushall Olympic |
Sat 8 Sep |
| CHALLENGE BOWL ROUND 2 |
| Lichfield City / Aylestone Park |
v |
Allscott Heath |
| Quorn |
v |
Leicester Nirvana |
| Kettering Town |
v |
Bedworth United / Lye Town |
| Sutton Coldfield Town |
v |
Lutterworth Town / Tamworth |
| Droitwich Spa G & B |
v |
Evesham United / Kidderminster Harriers |
| Highgate United / AFC Rushden & Diamonds Elite |
v |
Brocton / Boldmere St Michaels |
| Halesowen Town |
v |
FCV Reds |
Sat 29 Sep |
| Allexton & New Parks / Rushall Olympic |
v |
Milton Keynes College / Continental Star |
Review
Premier Division
A good start for the two sides promoted from Division 1. Ilkeston Town welcomed Stourport Swifts to the New Manor Ground and a goal from Malachi Lavelle-Moore three minutes from time gave them a 3-2 win over Stourport Swifts. Walsall Wood welcomed relegated Romulus to Oak Park and a brace from Paul Sullivan saw them home also 3-2. Two of the league newcomers met at Pride Park with Wolverhampton Sporting Community and Dunkirk sharing the spoils in a 2-2 draw. Lye Town head the table on day one following a 3-1 win at Quorn despite going behind after just two minutes. A Ryan Shaw goal three minutes into stoppage time edged Boldmere St Michaels to a 3-2 win over Worcester City at The Trevor Brown Memorial ground. AFC Wulfrunians got off to a winning start, Kieron Northwood scoring the only goal of the game against Loughborough University at CKW Stadium. A Curvin Ellis goal early in the second half gave Coventry United all 3 points at home to Shepshed Dynamo. Westfields faced their longest journey of the season and returned from South Normanton Athletic with all 3 points thanks to a Mark Magee goal. Highgate United and Coventry Sphinx couldn’t find a goal between them at The Coppice. Long Eaton United and Sporting Khalsa fought out a 1-1 draw at Grange Park with Long Eaton missing a penalty.
Romulus picked up their first points of the season with a 2-1 win over Worcester City at Castle Vale Stadium which lives City pointless from the opening two games. Westfields made it two 1-0 wins on the trot as Ben Hayes scored the only goal of the game against Walsall Wood.
AFC Wulfrunians moved to the top of the table on goal difference following a 2-0 win over Boldmere St Michaels at the CKW Stadium, Jake Webb scoring both. Ilkeston Town made it two out of two with a fine 3-2 win at Shepshed Dynamo, a fine start following their promotion from Division 1. Coventry United recorded their second 1-0 win of the season, Shaquille MacDonald with the goal at South Normanton Athletic. Wolverhampton Sporting Community picked up their first win as an MFL club, 2-1 at Stourport Swifts with Dan Scragg getting the winner. Ten-man Loughborough University came from behind to draw 3-3 with Lye Town at Holywell. Joe Boachie gave the Scholars a 2-0 lead before The Flyers came back to take the lead, Joel Bonner grabbed the equaliser in the 88th minute. Highgate United travelled to the Aspray Arena and returned with the 3 points after a 2-0 win over Sporting Khalsa. Coventry Sphinx beat Dunkirk 2-0 at Sphinx Drive with goals from Jamie Towers and Josh O’Grady.
Quorn recorded their first victory of the season, beating Long Eaton United 4-2 at Farley Way. New signing Steve Hart scored twice for Quorn with former Rugby striker Ruben Wiggins-Thomas scoring both goals for Long Eaton.
Division 1
There were plenty of goals on the opening day of the Division 1 campaign. Chelmsley Town started their season with a 6-0 win over 10-man Littleton at Pack Meadow with Adam Keeley and Dom Oliver both scoring twice. Last year’s golden boot winner is at it again as Simeon Cobourne scored three in Heather St Johns 6-1 win at Rocester. Another one of last season’s hot shots, Alex Naughton, bagged a brace as Atherstone Town beat Brocton 4-1 at Silkmore Lane. There was a 7-goal thriller at The McDonalds Community Stadium where Lichfield City beat Racing Club Warwick 4-3. Lichfield had to play 85 minutes without a regular keeper with defender Adam Robinson between the sticks following an injury to Adam Jenkins. The Racers took a 2-0 lead through a Ben Mackey brace, but City came back to win with two late goals. A goal 7 minutes from time from Myles Phipps earned Paget Rangers all 3 points at Leicester Road. Cadbury Athletic came from behind to beat Nuneaton Griff 2-1 at The Pingles Stadium. Division 2 champions NKF Burbage announced themselves to the rest of the division with a 3-1 win at Uttoxeter Town. League new boys Stapenhill drew 2-2 with Hinckley AFC, both sides holding the lead during the game. Heath Hayes and Studley shared a goalless draw at The Coppice Colliery Ground.
Heather St Johns scored 6 for the second game in succession as they beat Lichfield City 6-1 to take over top spot. The goals were shared with 6 different scorers. Promoted NKF Burbage also made it 2 out of 2 with a stunning 6-0 win over Nuneaton Griff, Jess Adcock and Pele Orton both scoring twice. Racing Club Warwick bounced back from an opening day defeat with a 7-0 win over league new boys Stapenhill at Townsend Meadow. Ben Mackey and Trea Bertie both scored hat-tricks for The Racers. A hat-trick from John Atherton helped Uttoxeter Town to a 4-1 win at Paget Rangers. A last-minute goal from Amarvir Sandhu earned Leicester Road all 3 points at 10-man Studley. A Ryan Kimberley goal midway through the second half was enough for Brocton in the Staffordshire derby at Rocester. Hinckley AFC welcomed Coventry Copsewood to their new base in Ibstock and the two shared a 1-1 draw. It was a similar scoreline at The TSA with Cadbury Athletic drawing with Heath Hayes.
Atherstone Town made it two wins out of two with a 3-0 win over Chelmsley Town at The Mark Webster Community Stadium.
Preview
FA Cup
Atherstone Town vs Hanley Town
Everything points to this being a tight game with Division 1 favourites Adders up against NWCL Step 5 Hanley Town. The Adders have started the season in confident mood and home advantage may just give them the edge.
Boldmere St Michaels vs Malvern Town
The Mikes host West Midlands Regional League Malvern Town with their visitors expected to challenge for promotion this season. They started the season with an excellent 3-0 win over Pershore Town. The Mikes had a last gasp win over Worcester City on opening day and they will feel that they are capable of beating anyone at The Trevor Brown Memorial ground.
Coventry Sphinx vs Whitchurch Alport
This promises to be one of the ties of the round with Sphinx hosting North West Counties Whitchurch Alport. Alport will be supported in large numbers at Sphinx Drive and they have a side with plenty of Step 4 and above experience. In last season’s competition, they took an early lead at Walsall Wood before the home side ran out comfortable winners. Sphinx need to make home advantage count if they are to progress
Ellesmere Rangers vs Leicester Road
Leicester Road have a long journey to the Shropshire Lakes to face NWCL1S Ellesmere. Ellesmere have lost their first two whilst Leicester Road picked up their first points in midweek at Studley. The Meresiders finished 6th in the WMRL last season and, on form, could provide tough opposition. Leicester Road are one of the favourites in Division 1 and they should have enough to make it through
Haughmond vs Wolverhampton Sporting Community
Two clubs that swapped places in the summer meet at The Sports Village. Haughmond drew too many games in the MFL last season and that saw them finish in the bottom three. Wolves Sporting took all before them winning the WMRL by a mammoth 15 points. Sporting have gone through major changes in the summer but four points from their first two games has got their season up and running. If they are to progress, they may need a replay at Pride Park
Heather St John’s vs Kimberley Miners Welfare
Heather welcome East Midlands Counties League Kimberley to St John’s Park in a game that promises plenty of goals. Last season’s leading scorer Simeon Cobourne has scored 4 times in the opening two games with his side banging in 12 goals. Heather will undoubtedly be in the race for promotion this season. Kimberley have picked up 4 points in their opening two fixtures and after a top 6 finish last season, they too will be expected to challenge
Highgate United vs AFC Wulfrunians
Two Premier Division sides go head to head at The Coppice. Both sides have seen managerial changes in the summer and both have made changes to the playing personnel. Highgate are being touted as one of the favourites for promotion while Wulfs have gone under the radar somewhat. Highgate will start as favourites to go through.
Hinckley AFC vs Anstey Nomads
Hinckley welcome United Counties League Division 1 Anstey Nomads to The Welfare ground for their first FA Cup tie at their new ground. Anstey began the season with a 4-4 draw at home with Corey Armeni scoring twice. The Hinckley squad has undergone changes in the summer, but they will be expected to be challenging near the top. Expect a big crowd and a home win
Long Eaton United vs St Andrews
Long Eaton welcome UCL1 St Andrews to Grange Park after picking up one point from their first two games. The home side have added some serious firepower to their squad and they should have too much for Step 6 St Andrews who were beaten 3-1 at home in their opening fixture.
Quorn vs Belper United
Quorn host East Midlands Counties Belper United at Farley Way. Quorn have won one, lost one while Belper also lost 2-1 away to Graham Street Prims. Quorn have a strong looking squad and in Steve Hart they have a striker that scored 50 goals last season. Expect Quorn to be too strong on their own pitch
Racing Club Warwick vs Coleshill Town
What a match up! Step 6 RC Warwick up against Step 4 Coleshill Town, promoted from the MFL last season. The Colemen are yet to get their season under way while The Racers were surprisingly beaten at Lichfield City on opening day but bounced back with a 7-0 win in midweek. On paper, it should be comfortable progress for Coleshill, but The Racers are a side that score goals and there is a chance of an upset
Rainworth Miners Welfare vs Dunkirk
Last year’s East Midlands Counties champions Dunkirk travel to meet one of last season’s rivals. Both sides have picked up a point from their opening two games. These sides will know each other well and Dunkirk may need a replay to progress.
Romulus vs Westfields
Another matchup between Premier Division heavyweights. Romulus dropped down from Step 4 in the summer and they host their first FA Cup at The Vale Stadium. Westfields had an excellent cup run two seasons ago, making national news and generating significant income. Both of these sides have the quality to make inroads in the season’s competition and it is hard to split them
Sleaford Town vs South Normanton Athletic
The Shiners face the long journey to Lincolnshire to tackle UCL Premier Division Sleaford. Sleaford have won one lost one this season but will prove a difficult proposition at their Eslaforde Park home. A late change in management has not aided South Normanton’s preparation but a cup run could be just the morale boost they need. They will have to be on top of their game to get anything out of this one
Sporting Khalsa vs Tividale
A big Black Country derby with Sporting Khalsa welcoming WMRL runner up and favourites Tividale to the revamped Aspray Arena. Tividale started the season with a bang and it will be a shock if they are not promoted back to the MFL at the end of the season. Khalsa will not take them lightly and expect this to be a tight affair
Stourport Swifts vs Shawbury United
Shawbury, relegated from the MFL last season, make a swift return to Walshes Meadow to face the new look Swifts. Stourport have a new manager and a new exciting team and they will be expected to go through against a Shawbury side who have seen a number of players move on.
Teversal vs Loughborough University
The scholars travel to EMCL Teversal who started the season with a 6-goal victory and two platers, Matthew Wilkinson and Daniel Fletcher, scoring hat-tricks. Loughborough have picked up one point from their opening two games and they will need their more experienced players to stand up if they are to progress.
Walsall Wood vs Worcester City
A tie probably both sides didn’t want. Two of the favourites for promotion from the MFL meeting at Oak Park in what promises to be a cracker of a game. The Wood started the season with an excellent win over Romulus while City went down to a late winner at Boldmere. Both were beaten away from home in midweek and will be hoping for a good cup run. With proven goal scorers in both their ranks, this could go either way.
Wednesfield vs Rocester
It has been all change at both clubs in the summer with new managers and new squads. WMRL Wednesfield saw manager Dean Gill and the majority of the squad move to league rivals Wolverhampton Casuals. Rocester were left with a couple of players at the end of last season and a new young squad has been put together for this campaign. Both sides suffered heavy defeats last weekend and will see the cup as a chance to get some much needed revenue and to gain a foothold for the season.
Worksop Town vs Shepshed Dynamo
Shepshed were the FA Cup heroes last season eventually bowing out to Step 3 Nantwich Town. They travel to Sandy Lane to face NECL Worksop Town. The Tigers started the season with a fine away win at Goole Town and they will be roared on by a large, partisan crowd. Dynamo have the credentials and the squad to get through, but this could be a tough one.
Sunday 12th August
Coventry United vs Rugby Town
United welcome United Counties League Rugby Town to Butts Park Arena. Rugby moved sideways to the UCL in the summer and under former Stratford manager Carl Adams have revamped their squad completely. They started positively with Danico Johnson scoring a hat-trick in a 4-0 win. United have started with two wins and the strike pairing of Curvin Ellis and Shaquille MacDonald promises much. A big crowd, a great atmosphere and a possible replay
Premier Division
As the only two Premier Division sides not in FA Cup action, newly promoted Ilkeston Town welcome Lye Town to The New Manor Ground. Both sides have scored 6 goals this season with the Robins winning both of their games 3-2. A win for either side would see them top the league at this early stage
| All midweek games are subject to there being no FA Cup replays TUESDAY 14th AUGUST 2018 |
| Coventry Sphinx |
v |
Lye Town |
| Dunkirk |
v |
Boldmere St Michaels |
| Ilkeston Town |
v |
Long Eaton United |
| Loughborough University |
v |
South Normanton Athletic |
| Shepshed Dynamo |
v |
Walsall Wood |
| Sporting Khalsa |
v |
Stourport Swifts |
| Wolverhampton S C |
v |
A F C Wulfrunians |
| WEDNESDAY 15th AUGUST 2018 |
| PREMIER DIVISION |
| Highgate United |
v |
Westfields |
| Worcester City |
v |
Quorn |
Division 1
NKF Burbage have started the season with two wins and they can go clear at the top if they can make it three on the trot at Heath Hayes. Cadbury Athletic have picked up 4 points from their two opening fixtures and they face Stapenhill who will want to bounce back from a 7 goal defeat in midweek. Uttoxeter Town meet Brocton in a Staffordshire derby at Oldfields and with both sides picking up their first victories in midweek, this should be an interesting tussle. Lichfield City had a night to forget at Heather St Johns in midweek and they travel to Littleton who also conceded 6 away from home on the opening day. Chelmsley Town had an excellent 6 goal victory at home on opening day and will hope to emulate the performance when Paget Rangers visit Pack Meadow. Studley were undone by a last-minute goal in midweek and they welcome Coventry Copsewood to The Beehive.
Division 2
Barnt Green Spartak finished in mid-table last season and with strikers Dominic Strevens and Reuel Prescod in tandem, they should not be short of goals. They have a new home base this season as they move to Earlswood Town from The Coppice
Boldmere Sports & Social Falcons had a remarkable run last season to finish 2nd in Division 3 to gain promotion. The goals of Reece Gibson were crucial and if the young striker can find his shooting boots again this season, Falcons could be in for another good year
Bolehall Swifts suffered relegation last season conceding 143 league goals. They will be hoping that they can arrest their slide and start to rebuild towards Step 6 football as their Division 2 campaign gets underway
Coton Green finished 12th last season and will be expected to be battling more towards the top of the table this campaign. Their squad looks strong and performances in pre-season indicate that they will be a threat
Coventry Alvis had a season to forget last year finishing bottom of Division 1 with a negative goal difference of 148. They have a new look squad laced with players from the highly successful Coventry United Under 21 side. Everything points to a positive season
Earlswood Town finished in the lower reaches last season but early indications are that they will be a far stronger outfit this season. The new signings should give them more of a threat up front, goalscoring being their main issue last year
FC Stratford were promoted from Division 3 in 3rd place and they have seen one of their former players make his debut in the EFL already this season with Dylan Parker featuring for Walsall FC. They have a fine record in producing young players and this season should be no exception
Fairfield Villa finished in the top half of the table last season and look to be one of the teams to watch. The introduction of a reserve side, with Bromsgrove Sporting reserves moving to Fairfield, can only improve their chances. Should be a memorable season at The Recreation ground
Feckenham finished 4th last season and should be a challenging again. They have added to the squad and James Gifford from FC Stratford, will undoubtedly catch the eye. Won’t be far away at the end
GNP Sports introduced themselves to the MFL by running away with the Division 3 title. A win in pre-season over Walsall Wood has set tongues wagging and they will start as one of the favourites for the title. The signing of former Montpellier and Rugby Town forward Stuart Hendrie promises goals aplenty.
Hampton finished in a creditable 5th place last season and, despite some challenging results in pre-season, they can look forward to another positive campaign. The Seivwright brothers could hold the key to whether they will be challenging for promotion
Knowle had a disappointing season last time out finishing in 11th place. Their squad has been revamped with a number of players arriving with proven credentials at this level. Watch out for Tyron Smith and Curtis Thomas who have joined the club from Smithswood Firs. Could be challenging for promotion
Lane Head are the renamed Bloxwich Town and they finished second bottom last season, only avoiding relegation due to the resignation of Montpellier. On their day last season, they were a match for most sides and a lot will depend on the youngsters coming through
Moors Academy have a new home, The Trevor Brown Memorial ground, home of Boldmere St Michaels. Pre-season has seen some superb results, not least a 4-0 win over Premier Division Quorn. With the resources at their disposal, it would be shock if Moors are not challenging for promotion this season
Northfield Town have a new management team as they look to build on last season’s mid-table finish. Results in pre-season have been encouraging with plenty of goals being scored. Sam Wills, from Bromsgrove Sporting, could be the key signing
| Redditch Borough finished outside the bottom two on goal difference last season thanks to an excellent run towards the end. Pre-season has seen a number of youngsters promoted into the first team which augurs well for the future. The return of striker Bill Garvey is a massive plus SATURDAY 11th AUGUST 2018 |
| Boldmere Sports |
v |
FC Stratford |
| Bolehall Swifts |
v |
Feckenham |
| Coton Green |
v |
GNP Sports |
| Earlswood Town |
v |
Lane Head |
| Fairfield Villa |
v |
Knowle |
| Hampton |
v |
Barnt Green Spartak |
| Redditch Borough |
v |
Moors Academy |
| TUESDAY 14th AUGUST 2018 |
| Barnt Green Spartak |
v |
Fairfield Villa |
6.15 |
| Bolehall Swifts |
v |
Knowle |
| Coton Green |
v |
Boldmere Sports |
| FC Stratford |
v |
Feckenham |
| Moors Academy |
v |
Lane Head |
7.30 |
| Northfield Town |
v |
Earlswood Town |
6.15 |
| WEDNESDAY 15th AUGUST 2018 |
| GNP Sports |
v |
Redditch Borough |
| Hampton |
v |
Coventry Alvis |
6.15 |
COVENTRY COPSEWOOD RETAIN THE COVENTRY TELEGRAPH CUP
KM Sport 