Ed's Eye

2009/10 Christmas Review

Another great half year for WMCFL. From the Committee's point of view, we've not had a lot to sort out. Either that or we are getting used to fixing thing things and it all feels like standard stuff. Nevertheless, the league is very healthy at present: More teams than ever, by a long way. More referees than ever, by a long way too. James mentioned that we now have approaching seventy referees; a quick scan through the appointments list that he sent out this week for January showed that most matches have three officials on them. This is quite incredible at our level, as plenty of leagues struggle to cover their matches with just one.

From the footballing side, we've seen the standard stretching out a bit. The new clubs have brought a new dimension to the league: Some of the teams are of an excellent standard and I expect a quick rise to the top. Some will take a little longer to get there and on occasion, we seen some double-figure score lines, which had become a bit of a rarity.

No one team appears to be running away with their division, with at least two teams up for the title in each of the three divisions. Sheldon and Dynamo do seem to have been cast adrift in both relegation zones but a couple of wins for each would change things very quickly. Neither side have played that badly.

Division 1

Our top division has a very close look to it at the Christmas break with five sides split by three points. I think in reality there are two sides in it; the same two teams that have dominated WMCFL recently: St Mary's and Clarendon.

St. Mary's - After refereeing St Mary's in pre-season and hearing that they were losing a player or two, I chose to write their chances off. I think that may have spurred them on somewhat as since that time they have been almost unstoppable. Whilst they lead the division by just a single point, they have two games in hand over City and are a real three points ahead of Clarenson. We have a long way to go but with St Mary's massive goal difference and the narrow advantage they have over Clarendon, I have revised my prediction and think they will finish first: Champions.
City Church - I predicted that City would come second and second is where they currently sit. I also mentioned that I thought they were a player or two short and I think they have sorted that with the three hugely experienced lads from Clarendon. City are clearly kicking on from last year having won as many games as they did in 08/09 already. They are far from out of the championship, although I think they will need to win all their games to come top. They are also a good shout for the Cup: Second.

Amblecote - It never ceases to amaze me how much credence the 'Ed's Eye' column is given amongst the WMCFL fraternity. Even my nine year old son takes it as gospel. We were at the Liverpool vs Fiorentina match the other night and he suggested that the Viola were knocking the ball around like Junction Ten. Then it dawned on me that he has never watched Junction Ten, he's just stood on my shoulder reading what I've been typing.

For a few weeks, the Amblecote manager rang me every Saturday afternoon to thank me for doing his team talk, having predicted they would be relegated. I think they knew they were better than than but would perhaps have been a little surprised themselves at their leadership of the league for so many weeks. The winning streak finally came to an end as the curse of missing players bit. I swear that if many of our sides could put out the same team every week, they could dominate the league: Fourth.

Clarendon - Clarendon have been a very hard team to predict this year. In some matches they seem to breeze through, just doing enough but when they have the bit between their teeth, they are a fearsome team. They brushed aside Champions Church in the Cup 5-0, although once again I think the pundit effect came into play. After predicting Champions would win, my comments were read out in the Clarendon changing room and once again the manager's job was done. Clarendon also beat Aston Labs from the AFA Premiership, which is hard to describe what a significant achievement that was.

In the league, their form has been mixed escaping with the points a couple of times when a defeat was on the cards. They have lost a few players and their squad has looked a little thin at times. Everton Morrison has also been missing for a few weeks, which has taken its toll. I'm revising my prediction to third but really Clarendon's fate is in their own hands. If they win all their remaining matches, they'll win the league: Third.
Halesowen Zion - I wasn't far off when I predicted them as fourth and I think they are still a solid, mid-table side. Having said that Halesowen are just three points off the top of the table. Recent form brings me to suggest that they will settle into fifth place, although nearer Christmas they did seem to get it back together after a few poorer results. They are still in the Cup and face Clarendon away. After almost beating them in the league, they will believe that they can knock the Cup holders out and then who knows? But Halesowen are in a good position, so we will see: Fifth.
King's AFC - A mixed bag of results for King's this year but they look fairly safe. I don't see them imposing themselves on the division but may spring a few surprises. I think they are settling in a few new players and will finish mid-table, probably between sixth and ninth. I said sixth before the season started and that's where they are now. I think Wolves will overtake and possibly St Boniface too: Eighth.
Wolverhampton and Perton Churches - I think Wolves were expected by some to struggle this year but they've done alright. The side is a little older than some teams but whilst perhaps they can't run as fast as younger sides, they think more quickly. They have a couple of games to make up, if they win them then they will be chasing the top clubs, lose them and they may get drawn into a relegation battle: Sixth.
St. Boniface - Another spot-on prediction. I said earlier in the season that St Boniface are a little better than their results suggest. They then went off and beat Clarendon away, proving the point. I think they'll be battling with King's, Wolves and St Matthew's for respectability rather than trying to stay in the division: Seventh.
St. Matthew's - An over-prediction from me prior to the start of the season. I said third and they are languishing just above the relegation zone. They do have a game in hand and should they win it, it will take them up the table to relative safety. They could do with winning a few matches or possibly get sucked into the drop zone with St Thomas and Zion Athletic threatening to make something of their seasons this side of Christmas: Ninth
St. Thomas' Aldridge - I over-estimated St Thomas' league position; the end of season form was not carried forward into the new season, they've won just two of their eleven games so far. Last year St Thomas won seven league games and I think that needs to be their target to finish this year. Another five wins would give them 23 points, which should see them secure. I think they will need to rely on others slipping up, rather than dragging themselves out of it: Tenth.
Zion Athletic - From what people have been saying, Zion have played well but struggled to score. They've only scored one more goal than bottom placed Sheldon and herein lies their problem. Unless they can get some goals then they'll be dropping straight back into Division Two: Eleventh.
Sheldon - I think Sheldon knew it would be a difficult year. Sadly, the league table doesn't lie and they are way adrift at present with just one point from their efforts. Goals conceded is over four a game and scored is just over one, so a 4-1 defeat is their average score line. Having said that, it's not all been misery, they have competed in some of their games. I hope they can register a win or three before the end of the season but I can't see them staying up: Twelfth.

Division 2

Division Two is pretty much a two-horse race with, as expected, Champions Church in the lead and EK very much in contention in second. Selly Oak are sniffing around in third, waiting to pounce should the top two lose their way.

Champions Church - I think that Champions are still favourites to win Division Two but the odds of them being overtaken have been slashed. The title could all hinge on their match with EK, which has now been put out to 6 March and could be one of the last games they play. The way the weather has been, we may still be at it into May. With eight games each left to play, I'd be advising them both to pick up as many goals as possible because there's little in the difference as we stand. First
EK Corinthia - I'd forgotten that I'd predicted EK were going to come bottom, what an error! No-wonder they were mad with me. I think, like Amblecote, they took the slap in the face and set about proving me wrong. There are quite a number of managers that ask me to rubbish their side in this column so that their team gets an extra incentive to play harder. It's a shame for EK that the match on 19 December with Champions got called off, my money would have been on EK to exact revenge. On the balance of probability, I'm putting EK down to finish as runners-up as they still have to play Champions and Selly Oak and will probably have to win both games and could still lose out on goal difference. But EK are a changed side this year: Second.
Selly Oak Methodist - A lot hinges on their game with EK this week-end. If they win it, then they throw themselves into the title race; if they lose, then I think they will be doing well to get above third. Having said that, the way the weather is, we may not have any matches next week-end. Division Two is shorter than the other two divisions this season with Walsall's withdrawal and the finishing tape is about eight games away for most sides. The gulf in goal-difference tells a story, with Selly Oak on +26 and Inter on +1 in fourth: Third (Hurray!)
Birmingham International - Some strange results from Inter as they have taken points off Champions and EK but have lost to Renewal and Chawn twice. A good run of form could see them muscle in on the top three places but I think that MBD will get it together and take them for fourth: Fifth.
MBD United - A talented team when they get it together. They have inexplicably imploded at times this season but haven't completely blown their chances yet. Selly Oak have EK and Inter to play in the next two weeks and MBD can throw a spanner in the works as they play Champions. MBD have a few games to make up and if they can register wins, then I think they can move up a place: Fourth.
Lighthouse Lions - I think that the Lighthouse matches are perhaps the most fun to watch. I'd actually consider paying to get in. They've had some barn-storming finishes to games this year with goals flooding in at both ends of the pitch. They have proved their mettle in this division, pushing some of the best sides but I think consolidating in Division Two would be better than back-to-back promotion, they would struggle in Division One: Sixth.

Chawn Hill Church - I didn't do too bad predicting the bottom half of the table, apart from EK. Chawn would be in serious trouble if it wasn't for those two 3-2 wins against Inter. They are far from out of the woods yet but I think they will do enough to stay in this division; they have a team that will fight for the cause, not roll over: Eighth.

Bournbrook Athletic - Sometimes, if I believed in luck, I would suggest that the Bournbrook team bus had run over three black cats on the way to the match and smashed several mirrors, walked under ladders and passed on the stairs. Perhaps it's time for their bad fortune to end and for them to start enjoying their football, after all they didn't do too badly last season finishing second: Seventh.
Renewal Solihull - Another club that have been up and down this season, competing with the best and then getting trounced by clubs from lower down the division. I think that four wins would save Solihull from the drop but they only have seven matches left, the fewest in the league. They have to play Selly Oak, EK and Champions which is beginning to look ominous for Renewal. But if there is a club that can pull off miraculous escapes, it is Renewal Solihull: Tenth.
Rowley College - I know that Rowley have entered a new phase, with a bit change in personnel in the close season but I am still surprised to see them struggle so. I think the nadir was possibly the 10-0 defeat at the hands of Lighthouse Lions. I think they will do enough to escape but only just!: Ninth.
Dynamo Kingswinford - I think the damage has been done and DK will finish bottom of those that have stayed the distance. Walsall will count as one of the relegated teams and then it's down to the shake up at the AGM to see if we relegate any further teams. Whilst the points awarded column looks sick, the goals conceded is far from it. They have let in fewer than most clubs in the bottom half of Division Two. Most teams they play report that DK play alright but the glaringly obvious statistic is just eleven goals scored. They need to fix that quickly or risk double relegation. I hope they win some more in the New Year but even if they do, I think the gap is too large to make up. - Eleventh
Walsall Olympic - I was very sorry to see Walsall Olympic fold at the start of the season. This time last year we were talking about the possibility of them getting promoted to the First Division but it was not to be. The one consolation is that many of the players have made their way into other sides: Several have joined EK, Junction Ten and Karl Lawrence is now over at St Mary's.

Division 3

Division Three is similar to Division Two inasmuch as we seem to have a two-horse race with a third side close behind. Last year we saw five clubs promoted as the league expanded and we may see a repeat this season, although my gut feeling is that we won't see so many clubs joining this year. I have had far fewer enquiries from teams intending to join so far but you never know what is around the corner.

Junction Ten Village - I predicted Junction Ten would win this division before it started and I am sticking to that but only just. I have been procrastinating over writing this, as I have been over all three divisions. I think the one thing that persuades me more than anything else is J10's incredible goal difference. J10 have scored an amazing 83 goals already, the next nearest being EK on 55 - First
DC Dynamos - I'm putting DC second but I would not be at all surprised if they did in fact finish first, it's that close. They have been a different side this season. As All Nations have proved, anyone can beat anyone in this division, although DC have looked fairly secure throughout. DC will also fancy their chances in the Cup as they face Common Ground in the quarter-final - Second
St John's Church - I pretty much called St John's right before the season started. They'll be a bit disappointed with one or two results but on the whole have had a great start to life in WMCFL. I think they are a fairly safe bet for promotion but I can't see them overcoming both J10 and DC - Third.
Rockmount United - Rockmount suffered an inexplicable dip in form a few weeks ago. They are a tough side that can beat anyone but appear to have a fragile nature from time to time. In my opinion, they are battling away with Sporting and CGU for fourth place and will be eager to progress this year. They missed out on promotion by one place last season but they trailed Lighthouse by five points in the end. I can envisage them slipping up again - Sixth
Common Ground United - A great bunch of lads led by the talismanic David Walker. My son says that he would like to play up front with him if he had the choice. He will have to wait a little while. At times, CGU have been great to watch and have played with passion and pride but they seem to have an achilles heel and roll over every now and then. As times goes by Common Ground will be a force to be reckoned with in this league - Fifth
Sporting Zion - Sporting Zion made a slow start to the season but were soon on their way. Like CGU, I think they are a young team (except you Dave) that needs time to bed in and settle down to playing mens' open age football - Fourth
Brierley Hill AOG - Six wins out of twelve matches is perhaps one of the best half seasons that the Hill have had for some time. A quick flick through the archives reveals that the last time they won more than six matches in a season was 2002/3 when they took nine wins from twenty matches. Surely that must be their target: ten wins. Brierley Hill have some promising youngsters coming through, mixed in with some of the oldest old-timers is a great combination: They are enjoying their football and playing it in a very sporting manner. Well done chaps - Seventh.
Zion City - Zion have settled down to being a mid-table Division Three side. They are a fairly decent side, putting in some good performances, not getting thrashed by the big boys and so nearly making it to the quarter-finals of the Cup. I think it's too late for Zion to make much of an impression on the league table and will finish seventh, eighth or ninth: Ninth.
Sandwell United - A much better season for Sandwell, by far their best ever. So much so, that they are now feared by just about every team in the Division. They have a serious attack-minded set up and whilst this does seem to mean that they concede loads, there's nothing like scoring goals. They have a big squad of players and plenty of competition for places which is always healthy. They went on a serious run before Christmas where they went unbeaten for six games. Nice to see them win a few games - Eighth
Pye Green Towers - A shortgage of goals rather than leaking too many at the other end seems to be the problem at Pye Green. They are probably disappointed by how things have turned out so far but they are certainly not the worst ever we've had in WMCFL; they have at least managed to win a game and draw three others. They have also competed and come close in many other of their games. Another team that put everything into their games and I'm sure it will pay off soon: Tenth
All Nations - Well, what can I say? If you can beat Junction Ten, you can beat anybody. Some things haven't changed: They have let in more goals than any other side in the league and they find themselves pretty much propping up the league table. But they have won a couple of matches now and I think they will be taken more seriously in 2010: Eleventh.
Living Hope Church - I will say that most of our teams are well organised and well run and LHC are no exception. If we gave out points for effort, they wouldn't be bottom of the league, that's for sure. I hope that 2010 brings that elusive win: Twelfth.