Saturday Preview

A full set of fixtures today; we are really cramming them in now, which is great. From time to time we are left kicking our heels as the weather takes over. Fortunately we haven't had any difficulties just yet.

Division One

Sheldon v Amblecote So it's top versus bottom tomorrow as Amblecote travel to Saltley to play Sheldon. Amblecote's form this season has not been stunning, rarely dispatching teams, just beating them. But you cannot argue with the league table, they are where everyone else wants to be. Sheldon could do with a little bit of luck. Maybe as no-one expects them to get anything from this game, tomorrow they may day. It's a long way for the Amblecote boys to go and that usually has a bearing but like everyone else, I expect Amblecote to win.

St Mary's v King's AFC St Mary's league form has been spectacular this year. A quick glance at the goals for and against states that St Mary's are almost off the page: A fabulous achievement. King's form has been mixed. Whilst I expect St Mary's to win, King's are not the kind of side to roll over.

Halesowen Zion v City Church If St Mary's and Clarendon weren't around, then these two teams would be amonst the favourites to take the DIvision One title. I expect this game to be fast-paced and highly competitive between two talented sides. A draw?

Clarendon v St Matthew's Last year Clarendon took just one point from their two league meetings with St Matthew's. They also go into this game off the back off a wake up call at Halesowen followed by an incredible goal-feast against City which they lost. Is the chimney stack showing signs of collapse or are Clarendon going to fight back like a wounded animal? I have to go with a Clarendon win but St Matthew's showed great resilience against this side last year.

Zion Athletic v Wolves and Perton I think Wolves will win this one for a couple of reasons: Zion Athletic have scored fewer goals than any other side, save St Thomas and Dynamo Kingswinford who have scored as many. Wolves have a solid, well organised defence and a 'proper' goalie. Rich will chuckle when he reads that but there are many sides in the league that would love to have someone capable who turns up every week.

St Boniface v St Thomas Two sides who find themselves camped in the nether regions of the Division One table. As I have said several times, I think St Boniface are only there because they have played the top sides early on. I think they'll win this one.

Division Two

Champions Church v Dynamo Kingswinford A fair bit of banter flying around about this game this week but once again it's top versus bottom and you cannot imagine any other result than a home win. Having said that, Champions still haven't been beaten in league football and this will be their 24th match and the pressure to maintain that record grows. Teams playing them will want to be the ones that dink that run, so every tie becomes a cup tie, rather than a regular run-of-the-mill game.

EK Corinthia v Bournbrook Athletic The division's top scorers take on a team that have struggled for form this season. I think EK will win but Bournbrook will look to build on their win last week.

Lighthouse Lions v Birmingham International Third versus fourth in a tie where both sides have shown excellent form, not least Inter's excellent win against MBD last week. A really hard match to guess a result before the outset but perhaps Lighthouse will have the edge as they are at home.

Selly Oak Methodist v MBD United Two more teams with very realistic chances of moving up a division next season and they are fifth and sixth. Whoever wins this one will take a step closer. Both sides have outstanding players, not least of which is Carl Jones, the division's top scorer. I'm going to sit on the fence with this one because MBD know their way to Lion Farm.

Renewal Solihull v Rowley College Two teams that find themselves further down the league than they would have liked. Rowley are a little unsettled by their changes in personnel and they need this win a little more than their opponents. I think they'll win.

Division Three

Sporting Zion v St John's The division's leaders St John's are back at Lion Farm to take on Sporting Zion. Whilst I'll put down St John's for a win, I don't think it'll be an easy one.

All Nations v DC Dynamos After getting crushed 12-0, I cannot imagine All Nations are looking forward to this one. Many years ago, Liverpool beat Crystal Palace 9-0 in the league and then got beaten 4-3 in an FA Cup Final. Ironically, that kind of result is more likely at grass roots level, especially today with the sporadic attendance we often see. But I cannot see anything but a handsome win for DC.

Junction Ten Village v Common Ground United I actually refereed this fixture as a pre-season friendly. Strangely, I think the pitch was soggier then than it will be tomorrow unless there's a downpour. J10 seem to have it back on the island and I'm suggesting a home win. But CGU's Tony Sadler has done a great work with his side this season. Their form has slipped a little of late but this side has a big heart and some wonderfully gifted individuals.

Rockmount United v Brierley Hill AOG Rockmount may be just beginning to fall into the form that they have promised for so long. They beat DC last week in a very tight and tense match, whereas Brierley fell to an on-fire Junction Ten, catching them at the wrong time. I think Rockmount will win unless Brierley can do their stuff.

Zion City v Sandwell United A bottom half of the table clash sees an improving Zion City take on Sandwell United, fresh from an 8-1 win. If Zion can win this one, they could take a lofty fifth place in the table if results go their way.

Pye Green Towers v Living Hope Church Neither side have set the world alight yet. But you have to say that there has been plenty of effort put in by both teams. Both sides are well organised but perhaps just need a little while to bed in.

Saturday Review

St Matthew's 1 St Mary's 3 Some mad scores today: 6-5, 5-4, 4-3, 3-2 but just the one game that was settled by more than one goal and that was just by two. A very competitive division; very healthy. It's looking a little like back to back Division One wins though, with Clarendon slipping up yesterday, St Mary's are in second, just a point behind Amblecote with two games in hand. In a couple of weeks' time Amblecote play St Mary's at home, a key fixture for sure.

Nick Sprason says: A really hard fought victory today against St Matt's. They took the lead after around 15 minutes through a classy left foot finish from Robin Davies, who was a threat throughout. We equalised when my free kick was pushed out and Luke followed up to equalise a few minutes before HT.

The second half was fairly even for twenty five minutes until Tink burst down the right before centering for Lluke to put us in front. We were now dominating however had a slight scare when the ball hit a St Mary's arm in the box and the decision could have gone either way. With 15 to go, Tink controlled the ball on the byeline beat his man and finished superbly past the keeper to make it 3-1. Our superb run continues, having only lost one league game since April 08, but we face a tough challenge against King's next week.

Amblecote 4 St Boniface 3 Amblecote remain on top of the league with another win. That's five out of seven now. For St Boniface they can take heart from their performance: They've just been narrowly beaten by the league leaders and so will hope to continue that form into their coming matches. Simon Ashby says: Well, we managed to stay at the top of the table following yesterday’s game which was a real battle royale, and with the wind and rain crashing down it was an end to end match that we nicked with the odd goal in seven!

Down to a bare twelve players and a goalkeeper on call (with pager next to goalpost) we were always going to be up against it, but I think throughout the game we felt we had the edge over a really physical St Boniface team who will win many more matches this year, I have no doubt about that as they have some class attacking players.

The visitors took the lead early on with their first real attack and that knocked the wind out our sails for a few minutes as we had been on top. But then we hit three goals in a dominant fifteen minute spell to really take command of the game. It was a tale of goal scoring defenders as first of all full-back Andy Conroy leaped highest (?-Ed) from a corner to head home, then centre half Pete Williams repeated the trick moments later with a finish at the far post from another set piece. Then at 2-1 we saw a definite contender for goal of the season (I might be biased though): The ball was cleared from a corner and from outside the box, I chested the ball down and smashed the ball with my right foot into the top corner and past the despairing keeper's dive (second time I have used my right foot since 1987!).

St B’s did fight back well and made it 3-2 before the break and with the wind behind them after the break this made the second half very interesting and having weathered the storm for fifteen minutes, we managed to get 4-2 up with a sublime lob from Tim Fellows who only landed at about 5am from Spain, so well done for even being awake. With about 15 minutes to go, the giant St B striker made me and others look a bit daft by skipping through us and finishing from 20 yards out, but we held on and probably just about deserved the win.

Now onto Sheldon next week and hopefully another good performance with a number of our players coming back into contention after a few weeks of limited squad availability we are confident of a good showing.

Halesowen Zion 3 Zion Athletic 2 - Jallen says: But for ten very poor minutes in the first half during which we conceded two, we dominated this game. But it's the same old story: Played well, couldn't convert the chances. Halesowen, like Clarendon have been let off the hook.

Grant Doran adds: This has been a tough game in the past with plenty of tackles and real commitment, not to mention a fair few mistakes. As it stands we have taken all the spoils only a 3-3 cup draw in the against column.

We started yesterdays game with seven players missing for various reasons, but we were determined that we wouldn't lose the record of winning against Athletic. We started the game working really hard to shut the passing game of Athletic down and especially to nullify their midfield. Normally the reports tend to match up fairly well but today I can't agree with Jal's version. Athletic did have large chunks of posession but as has so often been the case when we have played them, they had no cutting edge and only called Simon into action twice in the first half with fairly routine saves. We scored three three goals without reply with two in the first and one in the second half, all of them coming through Ben Doran who had a great game from midfield. We should have pushed on really from that point but seemed to relax and eased off the pressure allowing Athletic to start playing.

They do have some very talented players and if you stand off them and allow them to play then they have more than enough ability to hurt you and this was the case yesterday. Although the final score was 3-2 we would have been very disappointed if we had thrown this game away after the excellent work rate and effort we put in to get to 3-0 in front. With Clarendon dropping points yesterday it keeps us close to the top teams and that means we are in with a shout. Need a big game next week as we take on City which will be no easy game.

City Church 6 Clarendon 5 - Martin Ogbourn reports: Another game against a top Division One side and another crazy game! It was a mirror image of the home fixture last year (when Clarendon won with a last minute goal after City had overturned a two goal deficit in the second half to win 5-4!), but this time it was City who led 3-1 and 5-3 before finally winning late on after Clarendon had brought it level at 5-5.

Conditions were not unusual for Row Heath with strong wind and rain making life difficult for defenders and goalkeepers. However, the game was a great advert for WMCFL as it was very keenly contested, but showed excellent attacking play in a see-saw game. Clarendon started the stronger side and played some good football with the wind and slope in their favour, and deservedly took the lead early on. City weathered the early storm (literally as well as metaphorically) and the game changed after the strike of the game from David Louden. City stormed into a 3-1 lead after a brace of poachers goals from Stephen Bailey after City started playing more composed football. Clarendon were never going to lie down though and came back strongly with two set play goals before half time.

Even though City had let a two goal lead slip, a scoreline of 3-3 against the slope was not a bad effort. City seized control of the match in the second half and started to pass the ball well with Daniel Atkins and David Louden instrumental. Tom Smith scored direct from a free kick, and Daniel Atkins cooly converted a penalty. Just when it seemed City had earned the win, several sloppy back passes allowed Hunter to score one, and then score a headed goal from a free kick to equalise with only a few minutes remaining. City showed great character again though to deservedly win the game with a scrambled effort from Stephen Bailey to take all three points, and leave everyone exhausted!

Overall the most pleasing thing for City was the determination and effort of the whole squad (including those who supported!). The strikers, Stephen Bailey and David Louden were excellent throughtout, and Tom Smith and Jonathon Sheppard were tremendous at the back, but it is unfair to single out individuals in a great all round team performance. There is still room for improvement, but four wins out of five is good form!

Tommy Woodward adds: Another hard battle against our 'B' side today, but our old players came out on top this time. What got to us the most is that four of City's goals came from our errors. But I won't take away from them the fact that City played very well. They used the conditions to their advantage and came out with the three points. Going forward we were always dangerous but City always looked dangerous on the counter. We felt we could have won and maybe we deserved a draw but I think City were looking for some pay back from last season's game, so we'll just have to take it out on St Matt's next week!!

King's AFC 5 Sheldon 4 - At 5-4 you'd think that King's would be grabbing the day's headlines but it was not to be. I think it was a key win for them and you have to feel for Sheldon, scoring four and still losing. Nevertheless, their biggest problem has been lack of goals, so to score four yesterday will be a boost.

Division Two

Rowley College 2 EK Corinthia 3 - Pete Bennett reports: This is hard one to describe from our point of view since so much of it was sound and solid and yet we still somehow came away with nothing. Despite still having five missing from the side we put out against Chawn, including Mark Southall, we very simply looked a match for a very good EK side (their manager expressed this as a surprise given the league table and you have to agree). This might have been a top of the table six pointer rather than a top versus bottom.

The improvement was founded on a good quality defensive display (from Simmo, Joe, Matt Stanton and Tom) and a more assertive performance from the keeper. We have played decent football everywhere else throughout the season and even short of options we took the game to EK with Stew Harvey scheming and Simon Morris holding. However the star of the show was Marc McLaren who terrorised EK for the whole game.

He’d already brought a good save from their keeper before he tried a cheeky long range effort and caught the keeper flatfooted for 1-0. I think we had the better of the whole half and were frustrated to concede a penalty for a clumsy challenge. However we did have one barmy moment where Lee our keeper misjudged a through ball and their lad hit a post from the ensuing open goal.

We were unlucky to lose Stew Harvey to injury at half time but the momentum continued with McClaren again causing the threat. It was with this momentum that he cracked in a direct free-kick for 2-1. Sadly this was something of a tipping point as we took a step back in our heads and EK responded magnificently with 25 minutes of sustained pressure. We gave them very little and had few scares but they were building it up and we were being pushed back.

With less than ten to go they equalised following a proper goalmouth scramble. It could then have gone either way but they had the momentum. We had a let off when they scored what looked a good goal and an infringement was noticed (referee Len Perry and his one lino were spot on today) but close to stoppage time their lad got up to head in a corner. I think both teams would accept a draw would have been fair but that never looked it would be the result. The game was also played in a good spirit so well done everyone!

Dynamo Kingswinford 1 Lighthouse Lions 4 - Lighthouse are well ensconced in the promotion push that currently consists of Champions Church plus five others: EK, Lighthouse, Inter, Selly Oak and MBD. Darren Cartwright says: Another win today for the Lions, playing in wet and breezy weather.

We kicked off and straight away were playing nice passing football. After ten minutes we had a goalmouth scramble which resulted in John Constable forcing the ball over the line for our first goal. We had most of the play up to about 25 minutes and then Dynamo took over with some good football. This lasted for about ten minutes, then James Doris received the ball on the edge of the area and took the ball up to the six yard box and tucked away our second goal. After 43 minutes we had a corner which was taken by Steve Gosling which in turn found Adam Elcock just inside the area who made no mistake and made it 3-0.

The second half Dynamo came back a bit as you would expect but Lighthouse defended well. Then Lighthouse began to apply a bit more pressure and on 68 a throughball by John Constable found Adam Elcock and went one on one with the keeper and made no mistake and netted our fourth and his second. Dynamo then with some good work on the right got the ball to the outside of our area and the ball was hit from 25 yards into the top left hand corner, a good goal on 70 minutes. More Pressure from both teams in the last 20 resulted in no more goals. So a very good away 4-1 win for Lighthouse.

I'd just like to say thanks to Dynamo for a game played in a good spirit and wish them all the best for the rest of the season.

Birmingham International 3 MBD United 2 - Inter keep right up with the pack chasing Champions with a win against MBD who've slipped back down to sixth. I don't think Moor Lane is MBD's favourite ground having lost both their games there this season.

Renewal Solihull 0 Selly Oak Methodist 4 - Rob O'Neill says: A soggy day over at Lode Lane but we took a strong squad across desperate to keep the momentum going against a team we had very close games against last season. We started brightly the ball being switched across the midfield beautifully and using our pace upfront to really stretch their back four. Our first came from a lovely lobbed ball from Rhyan which Carl chased down, the keeper came out to close him down but Carl coolly lobbed the ball over him. Renewal kept trying to battle with their captain Dennis taking the role of play maker but our defence stood strong a defence which is now the second tightest in the league. Our second came from a quick throw out from myself, Dean Palmer running the ball forward to set Daniel Morris free down the wing he played the ball into the centre to find Carl who slotted the ball away to make him top goal scorer in Division Two. The third came not too long after with a corner lofted in to find Darryl Brandy at the near post who delivered a thumping header to open his account for the season. Renewal weren't without their chances in the first half I think I was called into action a handful of times but they never looked threatening.

We knew Renewal would come out fighting in the second half and that they did eager to get an early goal to get back into the game they started to see a bit more possession but they just couldn't unsettle our defence today and every time they lost possession we were quick to counter and that's where our fourth came from with a confident finish from Jamie Williams. We still had work to do to claim the clean sheet but second half substitutes such as Hadi Zareian battled hard as we started to shut down their moves further up the pitch. A great result today, a clean sheet and we still had a potential for better football.

We are now hitting the kind of form that we would need to push for promotion only first and second have scored more goals than us and only Champions have conceded fewer goals and yet we sit fifth due to essentially two poor performances which tells you how close this division is. A huge week next week as we meet MBD for the first time and two clubs above us meet each other. A win will see us sit just outside the promotion places or if the other game is a draw we could even sneak into the top three next week. Selly Oak in this form are a first division club that could mix it with the likes of Clarendon and St. Marys but we still need to cut out those off weeks if we are ever going to get the chance to prove it.

Bournbrook Athletic 2 Chawn Hill Church 1 - Paul Taylor says: Yet again disappointment at the end of the game for Chawn. After a good performance last week in the Cup, Chawn were unable to continue the performance in the league. Chawn are now desperate to start picking up points and having failed to kill off games previously saw today as a good time to start. Bournbrook were a unknown entity to me but looking over past results I felt this should have been a comfortable win, Chawn proved otherwise. The game started with both teams battling hard in midfield without either side threatening to score. Chances were few in the first half but the deadlock was broken when a passage of ball watching by Chawn enabled a Bournbrook forward to find himself un-marked on the back post to score a tap in!! Half time 1-0.

Chawn were happy with their first half performance, battling hard but just lacking the final quality ball through to open up the Bournbrook four. Chawn started the second half with the confidence of getting back into the game but almost immediately from the kick off Bournbrook extended their lead 2-0. Chawn were caught cold and were left pointing the finger at each other to lay the blame. Chawn continued to play out the second half as they played the first.

Chawn played some good football but yet again the final ball into the box was not good enough and also when a goal scoring chance presented itself it was squandered by a combination of good goal keeping and a lack of confidence in front of the goal. Chawn finally got a goal back when Hovis scored a looping 25 yard top-corner strike. Chawn pushed for the equaliser and did have chances. (One to mention is Daz Lloyd's bicycle kick, which in his mind was like Pele in Escape to Victory, but from the side line looked like a very retired Can Can dancer. Good try though buddy, I cant get my leg up that high!!)

Chawn's performance was like the mornings weather: wet, miserable with some bright spells. Bright spell Kev 'Super' Walters was my man of the match with an excellent performance and when he was asked to play in midfield displayed another side to his game with some great tackles and intelligent passing. Kev 'super' Walters is dead, long live Kev 'Lampard' Walters. Tiggs, Alfie and Greg Lloyd also put in a good effort.

Chaun were without injured Battling Bedda and Sutty who nailed each other in mid-week training. Also 'little cook' Scott was missing. Chawn have a week off next week so extra training might be in order.

Division Three

Common Ground United 1 St John's Church 7 - St John's take top spot with a sound 7-1 away win again CGU who seem to be struggling after a good start. The Division Three title race is hotting up as every side has now slipped, but here's a quick question: Which team is the only side in Division Three yet to lose? A shock isn't it?

Adam Wall says: St John's had their first big fixture since getting beaten by DC a few weeks ago and how they put it behind them with this emphatic away win, I'd say their best yet. The game started with Common Ground coming at us and we had to cope with the league top scorer David Walker today, even harder when you consider its your centre forward Adam Wall playing at centre half to cover many players missing! The whole of St John's back four were brilliant along with our attacking players finishing all chances. Although they came at us, a counter attack allowed Jon Holmes to slot home from close range: 1-0. It seemed like everytime they came at us we would play it out and score. We put Craig Turton through and he finished: 2-0. three in two for Craig, well done. They again came at us but we stood firm at the back and played out. Soon some good play allowed our top scorer Ash Hamer to hammer home: 3-0. Just before half time we allowed Dave Walker to have his chance. I'll warn anyone who plays against him, keeping him quiet for 89 mins isn't enough, he only needs sniff. HT 3-1.

Second half continued with St John's keeping the ball more and were 4-1 up soon after Jon Holmes turned two players on the edge of the box before firing left footed past the keeper. Craig Turton was sent free but was hauled down by the on rushing keeper. Ash Hamer stepped up: no other outcome: 5-1. Super sub Daniel Clarke only needed one touch to score. I mean it, he was on the pitch no longer than a minute before firing into the roof of the net.

At the end of the game there was a free kick on the edge of the box. With such a big scoreline we argued over who should take it we left it to big centre half Ada Rogers. What happend next no one will hear the end of: He stepped up and smashed it into the top corner; it took the paint of the joint. Common Ground are a very good side but they just need to stick together they will be top five!

DC Dynamos 5 Rockmount United 6 - Mark Crouch says: Well what can I say? Rockmount are fast becoming our 'bogey team'. Last two times we played them they played us off the park. This time though we were undone by three or four goalkeeping errors. The first goal to put Rockmount one up was a speculative shot from outside the area the keeper didn't get himself behind the ball and it slid through his hands and in. Second goal was a tame cross that somehow looped over and in.

DC picked themselves up and goal direct from a corner and a great Steve Burford headed goal got us back to 2-2. Somehow it was 3-2 to Rockmount as a free kick well outside the area seemed to find the back of the net. 3-2 Half time.

DC wanted it more from the kick off and a wonderful strike from Chris Gee made it 3-3. This seemed to spark Rockmount into life and within ten minutes they had opened up a two goal lead as another goalkeeping howler gifted them at least one of those. Suffice to say at this point DC substituted the keeper to put an end to his miserable morning. Head up Gavin. At this point I thought it was all over but again DC hauled it back. Another fabulous goal from Chris Gee (the pick of DC bunch) and a super sub goal from Ryan McCauley (he'd only been on for a minute) got us back to 5-5. DC had the momentum with them and also a player advantage but it was Rockmount who scored the decider from the spot as their player was brought down in the box. He did well to hold his nerve and score: 6-5 Rockmount.

If Gavin had had his usual solid game this game would have ended 5-2 to DC but football is an 'on the day game' and that's why we love it because you never now whats going to happen. Good luck to Rockmount on having the only unbeaten record in our division. It's a stat that I am slightly envious of but we never seriously expected to go unbeaten for the season anyway.

Gerald Nembhard adds: This was a hard fought, tightly contested match where everything was given. The scoreline reflects the fact that the few chances created were taken with every mistake pounced on.

DC are a physical side and strong in the challenge. They had a very lively winger who caused problems throughout the match. DC built play very well, especially out wide but Rockmount coped with this most of the time. Rockmount tended to play the better football throughout but DC had their moments too. The Rockmount scoring was of a high standard with two long range shots finding the net along with a couple of brilliant free-kicks. DC's goals weren't bad either as they mostly came from good build up play. However one was a Rockmount own goal from a corner.

Rockmount going down to ten men for the last fifteen meant for a tense ending. Getting a penalty with ten to go added to the tension as DC tried to find the equaliser. There was relief at hearing the final whistle. All in all, for the neutral, this was a good match to watch but really nailbiting for anyone on either side.

Brierley Hill AOG 0 Junction Ten Village 10 - Martin Woodhall reports: I think today was as close as we have been since our friendly against St Mary's back in August to having a complete squad (Just one missing). No disrespect to any other team we have played including the cup game but having a full squad to choose from makes a massive difference and Brierley Hill were just unfortunate it all clicked for us on the day.

The downside to having a full squad was having to pick eleven to start. We left the league's top goalscorer on the bench which is an indication of how strong we were today. Despite all this Brierley Hill almost caught us out very early. The forward was clean through and Scott made a great save with his legs to deny him. We managed to then get contol of the game and played some great football. We eventually went in 4.0 up at half time.

In the second half we added six more. Arguably both sides should have been reduced to ten for professional fouls but the ref was excellent today and common sense prevailed on both occasions. I can see why Brierley Hill have done much better this season so far, they battle for everything and have a bit of quality going forward.

Good luck to them for the rest of the season.

Pye Green Towers 2 Sporting Zion 5 - Wayne Capewell reports: Despite losing yet again and being on the recieving end of an unflattering result there were many positives we can take heart from this game. (and just as many negatives). Unlike last week at least Sporting Zion gave us a touch of the ball.

For the first twenty minutes we were under a little pressure. Our midfield were struggling to get any kind of foothold, sloppy exchanges in our build up play wasn't helping but our defence stood firm organised by the ever dependable Drury brothers. Then just as we are gaining a little confidence an unfortunate mix up in our six yard box, our own sub Chris failed to spot an obvious offside and 0-1 it was as they finished with a simple tap in. Soon it was 2-0.

Fair play to our lads though the heads stayed up as we struggled to impose ourselves. Our workrate started to increase and at last our midfield had started to get some grip we were now beginning to compete for every ball. Some pushing allowed me to take a free kick just past the halfway line the ball dropped to D Wright on the near post who produced a neat flick and it was 1-2, game on.

Five minutes from half time just as we were looking to get back into this game our 17 year old debutant (left back) who was doing a great job swore at himself unfortunatley for us the result was agonisingly expected as the ref had no choice but to produce the red card. Tom our left back was devastated and at half-time I lead ten deflated souls off the pitch.

For the first fifteen of the second half we played like lions, every ball chased and players being harassed. We were working hard trying to make up for the missing player. A long goal kick and the ball looked a lost cause and Weaver continued his run. A bit of confusion between their goalie and a centre back allowed Weaver to nod it over the advancing goal keeper, a deserved equaliser: 2-2.

As we looked for a hoped lead, Sporting were looking increasingly dangerous on the counter. Our lone striker Weaver working tirelessly by himself and had little support from my over worked players. Sporting often breaking with four or five players were kept at bay until the last twenty. A well taken free kick on the edge of our dee left our goalie stranded 2-3. Then Sporting were awarded a penalty. It was finished neatly 2-4, then sloppy marking allowed the opposition to thump a header off a corner into the roof of our net final score 2-5.

Thanks Sporting this was an enjoyable game. You passed well, had a combative central midfielder and were able to give and take fierce challenges. Add this to our light-hearted banter, it was the kind of game that wasn't pretty at times but was well worth playing in. Without the sending off, I would have liked to think this would have been a fiercely contested game. With three reds and at least four bookings this season our discipline has to improve if we are to achieve any kind of respectful position in this league. We have previously had little strength in depth if I took a player off the replacement would be at best a rough diamond. Now with suspensions coming up and a couple of new signings I'm hoping we will achieve a respectful mid-table finish. An optimist?.. We will see..

Dave Guttridge adds: This was one of the best footballing games we have played this season. Both teams playing some great flowing football. Sporting got the lucky breaks today. Just watch Pye Green start climbing up the league if they keep playing like they did on Saturday.

Living Hope Church 1 Zion City 4 - Pete Hopper says: On a cold and blustery day, the autumnal nip in full effect, LHC hoped that this would be the day to earn some well deserved points. With just three minutes played, we had already seen three offside flags and a hopeful long range shot from Brainy caught by the Zion Keeper. At eight minutes, after a committed and strong start, particularly from a well organised midfield, LHC were shocked by a piece of individual ZC brilliance. Within a packed 18 yard box, a throw-in bounced once, met with a head, a chest and a volley into the bottom left corner, leaving LHC's tenth keeper wondering what hit him.

LHC have become accustomed to lifting their heads after going behind and responded well with some good pressure, gaining a free kick in dangerous waters, only to see it cleared by the defensive wall. This was followed by a ten minute stint where the ball only entered LHC's area twice. Like a swift kick to the stomach, LHC were cruelly repaid for this good play by a second, well deserved goal for Zion after a quick counter attack. Even after this, LHC continued to push forward with several chances placed wide and the referee's assistants flag having a busy half. Zion let their experience count today, and this was proved by a cross that whipped in then off the bar and later some great pressure that forced a penalty after a definite infringement in the box. 0-3 HT.

LHC changed the man between the sticks during the break and hoped that a reward would be close. A shake up of the left hand side saw Chris W and Josh work brilliantly together. This partnership improving our resolve whilst defending and strength when pressing forward. LHC saw chances fly high and wide in the increasing northerly wind before being rewarded with a Corner kick directed into the goal via the Zion Keeper's hands at 66 mins. 1-3. Yet again, any progress made was wiped out by ZC this time by a 45yrd screamer from a free-kick. The ball seemed to fly over everyone effortlessly and found the gap behind the keeper and into the top right corner, a one in a thousand goal, 1-4. The score stayed this way till the end, even though both teams pushed for more.

So, another defeat, but an encouraging performance from a group of lads that are beginning to work together well. The defensive four were strong today, and Brainy had many chances too, but for us the biggest success came from the battling midfield who chased everything and won the majority in the air, bossed by MOTM Callum Oakshot. LHC were met with a mid-table team who are fast improving and will take encouragement from their performance. The last link is stability in the No 1 shirt, the lack there of has cost us a hatful of points this season.

All the best to Zion City, who played a competitive and well disciplined game.

Oh, and cheers Ref - great job.

Sandwell United 8 All Nations 1 - Sandwell United jump to the top of the mini-league bottom four, getting themselves off the mark in style with an eight goal flurry. Sandwell have struggled to score goals, it's just that they have leaked badly at the other end. Nevertheless, it's nice to see them off the mark. everyone in the league has at least a point, which is good.

Saturday Preview

Five games in Division One this week-end, with league leaders Amblecote visited by St Boniface. Despite being placed eight places lower in the division and just above the relegation zone, St Boniface have scored more than Amblecote. They've conceded three times as many though. After losing their first four games, against tough opposition I hasten to add, St Boniface have turned the corner. Despite this I think that perhaps Amblecote will win but it really depends who turns up for the teams. A poor show by either side could be met with a defeat.

St Matthew's v St Mary's A bit of a classic in my book between two similar sides. This is a prequel of their Cup game set to be played on 21 November, so both teams will be using this as a session to size up the opposition ready for the Third Round game. With a five point lead over ST Matthew's with a game in hand, you'd have to go for St Mary's.

City Church v Clarendon WIth three Clarendon players moving over to City in the close season, I'm sure this will be a lively encounter. City's form has been a little mixed, failing to win three of their five games. You could argue that Clarendon have also been up hill and down dale but they have won all but the Kevin Kovacs trophy. If City take something from this game it wouldn't be a major shock but I still expect Clarendon to come away with the points.

Halesowen Zion v Zion Athletic A full-blooded derby I'm sure. These teams were both spawned from Zion Christian Centre in Halesowen, with Halesowen now the senior side. I can remember playing them in their first season; they were a little lightweight. They have certainly long-since dropped that tag and I think are on the brink of moving into the top section of WMCFL. If they are to keep up the pace a win here is imperative. They should win but Athletic will take great heart from their performance last week against Clarendon.

King's v Sheldon King's looked good last week-end, knocking the ball around whilst playing with a smile on their faces. That's easy when you are scoring goals. Sheldon's form has been back and to this season; they are having a bit of a tough time. If King's strongest team turns up, they should win.

Division Two

With Champions resting, EK have a slim chance of nicking the top spot back with a very big win against Rowley College. The new look Rowley have looked a little off colour this season but I doubt EK can do that damage. There's no doubt that EK are in the form of their lives and if the form book holds, they'll be adding to their four wins but I don't think it'll be by the seven goals they need to overtake Champions.

Third placed MBD travel to Moor Lane for their game against an Inter side enduring mixed season so far. Both sides were knocked out of the Cup by the same score, 2-1 by Division One opposition. I think MBD will clinch a victory if they get a full side out. The last time they ventured over to that part of the world, they were trounced 6-0 by EK. Inter are no slouches either when they put their mind to it.

In fourth, Lighthouse travel to all the way Dynamo who, I'm sure, were bouyed by their 4-1 win over Sheldon last week. Despite this confidence boost, I'm going for an away win in this fixture as Lighthouse appear to be enjoying life in Division Two and are amongst the front runners for promotion at this early stage. DK are suffering from a goal drought in their league matches despite the addition of a couple of strikers to their team.

Renewal entertain Selly Oak this week in a mid-table clash. Both sides are on the same points but that's where the similarity ends. Selly Oak's goal difference in a massive nineteen goals better. They have scored 22 goals in their five matches, whereas Solihull have conceded 26, the highest in Division two. Another away win but you never know with Renewal.

And lastly, completing the Division Two line-up, Chawn travel to Bournbrook. Neither side have set the world on fire this year and both badly need a win. Bournbrook took a thump in the guts losing one of their own which was particularly painful and the defeats that followed just rubbed salt into the wounds. With football being the competitive game that it is, is particularly unforgiving at a time especially when solace is needed. I am cruelly predicting a Chawn win to complete a full house of away wins in Division Two but rarely showing a partizan attitude in hoping for a Bournbrook win.

Division Three

A full house of matches in Division Three with League Leaders DC Dynamos facing a tough tie against visitors Rockmount welcomed to Conigree. I'm going with momentum and plumping for a home win as I expect DC to win. The competition for places intensified as many of the first XI were away last week-end but the replacements delivered their best ever win as they demolished All Nations in the Cup last week.

In second St John's travel to Lion Farm to take on a CGU side who started the season in bumper form but have fallen away over the last few weeks. They can put that right against St John's tomorrow with a home win. I think it may be tight but I'm backing the boys from St John's to take the points.

The league's top scorers Junction Ten Village face a tricky game away at Brierley Hill. The Hill are not the push-overs they once were this season but J10 need three points if they are to keep in the running for a pop at the title. I think they'll do it but Brierley Hill will give them a game.

Sporting Zion will be boosted by their performance against Division One's St Boniface last week-end, giving St B's a bit of a fright in the Cup before rolling over. Pye Green are still finding their feet but I think Sporting will be too much for them.

Pye Green will want to add to their season haul of a point with a win against Zion City. But Zion have proven to be a little tougher this season and are still in the Cup adding to their previous week's 5-0 win against Pye Gree. I think Zion will do the business but we'll see.

And last but not least, All Nations travel to Sandwell United in the basement battle tomorrow. Both sides will fancy their chances but I think Sandwell will get off the mark.

Have fun everyone.

Saturday Review

League Cup Round Two

No huge surprises yesterday as the Cup pretty much went to form and we are slimmed down to a last sixteen. I was a little shocked by one result: All Nations 0 DC Dynamos 12. All Nations had finally won their first match last week and the word was out that half the DC team were away, so a potential upset was on the cards. DC must have a deep squad because with their second XI made no mistake. Mark Crouch says: Another fantastic win as DC keep their unbeaten run going bagging a hatful of goals today. To be fair we were expected to win today but what no one knew was half the team were in Benidorm so it was time to go into the depth in our squad and no one disappointed today.

DC soon settled into their rhythm and within ten were a goal up as Ryan McCauley scored his first of six today. Ben Stryzaker scored the second with a well taken goal and quite honestly from there onwards its all a bit of a blur. The half finished 5-0 with Chris Gee pitching in with a great solo effort and I think Steve Burford picked one up with his trade mark: a bullet header. Andy Garvey played his first game today in goal and the one decent effort All Nations had in the half Andy saved well. To be fair it was a quiet half for him with DC keeping All Nations camped in their own half.

In the second half DC were rampant and clinical seemingly scoring from every attack they had. Chris Gee completed his hat-trick and Ryan Mc Cauley scored his double hat-trick. Man of match today though was Ben Stevenson who started his first match for us not knowing anyone and played his heart out in central midfield and had the vision to drop back to centre back to offer support for our today, back three.

The match was reffed really well by Len Perry and well done All Nations because you never let your heads go down and always tried to play nice football when given the chance.

Ed - DC will be relishing their third round tie with Amblecote, who squeezed through against Inter and will fancy their chances of making it all the way to the final. Simon Ashby says: As an avid Man United fan, I remember all too well Mark Robins’ great header against Nott'm Forest in ’90 when we should have lost and Fergie got the sack.... and the Mark Hughes volley in the 120th minute against Oldham in 1994 to keep the double alive.... and then in ’99 when Dennis Bergkamp and an injury time penalty only to be denied by Peter Schmeichel and we won the treble! I must admit, although there is a long way to go in our cup run, at 1-1 yesterday against a physical Inter team, when their striker ran through on goal only to see his shot hit the inside of the post and roll across the line, I did think forward to cup final night and wonder if that was our moment when our fortunes held out.

For much of the game we had not played well. Looking off the pace again and generally sloppy in all areas. But to our credit we did create a host of chances to win, with two being missed from on the goal-line, countless one on ones going begging and the Inter keeper having a great game.

Inter look a strong physical team, but on form this year we should have won by a few goals, but having missed several chances early on, Inter made us pay with a simple floated free kick which was headed home by the influential left winger. We came into the game a little more and deservedly equalised before the break when Curtis Jordan looped a high cross which dropped under the bar and into the net.

The second half was a series of missed chances. I think my head was in my hands at least seven times during the second period and then came the crucial few moments. The Inter striker unluckily had his shot off the post then shortly after we won a penalty after a great run by Stu Lester who was brought down and ‘Azza’ finished off from the spot.

Hats off to Inter. They look competent and strong and I am sure have a good future in WMCFL. They also played the last twenty minutes with one of their better players injured and had a man sent off right at the end.

Zion City 3 Renewal Solihull 1 Zion ease into the third round with a win over a depleted Solihull side. They will play Common Ground who are yet to play in the competition.

Rowley College 3 St John's Church 6 - Pete Bennett says: With seven of the eighteen lads we had last week unavailable and a keeper leaving at half time it was back to emergency signings for us this week. Take nothing though away from St John's who are a decent side. We lost the game in the first half after taking the lead through Simon Morris against the run of play. St John's did create chances but the ones they scored first half were the four given by our lads (including at least one off side that was missed by our day-dreaming lino!)

Second half was even and we played good stuff but scored (through Nathan Wilkins) too late: in fact it provoked a flurry of goals in the last ten minutes to leave the score an embarrassing 3-6 (Tom Mayer's header provided our third). That's nine goals in the last three home games and no wins because we've conceded 19! What a difference a week makes!

Sporting Zion 3 St Boniface 6 - James Gray says: We turned up with our new kit but by the way we played you'd have thought we'd have been consuming the sponsor's product before the game. That's not taking anything away from Sporting, they are a good side. We were second to most balls. Regardless of the overall performance we got the win. We look forward to playing another one of the new clubs, St John's next.

Ed - In Round Three we have a couple of teams facing each other both of whom won 7-1 yesterday: Firstly Selly Oak Methodist 7 Sandwell United 1 - Rob O'Neill reports: Selly Oak make it to the second round for the first time in the new knock out format (We had Clarendon 1st round last year). In the end a convincing 7-1 win we now average a 5-2 score line but the final score doesn't necessarily tell the whole story.

We didn't really get a great warm up as the guy with the nets was delayed but we started brightly with some nice passing football. Carl Jones early on breaking into the box and was sandwiched between two defenders and brought down for a penalty which he duely converted. You'd think this would open the floodgates but Sandwell rallied and took control of the game with two strong players on the wings. Their goal came from a ball played in from their left wing finding their striker about ten yards out in a bit of space. I hesitated in closing him down giving him enough time to pick his spot in the far corner. We almost took the lead again with a superb Maradona-esque run from Daniel Morris from one box to another taking on a good four defenders but only managed to strike it against the keeper. Sandwell almost took the lead themselves with a dipping shot from outside the box but I managed to tip it over the bar and it stayed 1-1 at half time with Sandwell looking like making an upset as we struggled to get into the game.

I'm going to be honest now, I can't remember the order the goals came in the second half. What I can say is we stepped it up a gear; I believe it was another early Carl Jones goal that put us in the lead and maybe his hat-trick that put the Sandwell heads down and effectively gave us the win. A tap in from Lukiano Zinnetti, a great driving shot from Rhyan Anderson that almost burst the net, another goal from Nathaniel Regisford continuing his recent goal-a-game run and a rare Daniel Morris goal with a superbly taken header at the near post into the top corner (Which was nice to see as if goals were given for hitting the post or good efforts he'd be up there with Carl on the top scorers list) gave us what in the end was a convincing score line.

We could have got well into double figures if it wasn't for the man of the match performance from the Sandwell keeper, He was always quick off his line and must have stopped at least five one on ones and made a bucket full of saves on top of that. Sandwell gave us a scare in the first half and if they could stretch that performance over 90 minutes they'd be pushing for promotion back into Division Two. Unfortunately however its the all so common ten minute lapses that cost them and then the heads go down and they struggle to get back into the match.

Towards the end of the match the King's guys walked past our pitch and gave us a good bit of banter as I think they know a few guys from our team which stirs it up nicely for the Third Round which is going to be a very tough game where we will need to be 100% but I think with a full strength squad we have what it takes to beat the Division One sides and put together a good cup run.

Back to the important business of three points next week with a trip to Renewal who seem to be hit and miss at the moment but we always seem to have very close games but a chance to move up the table with MBD playing B'Ham Inter and if we can beat MBD the following week we will be right in the thick of the promotion chase again.

Bournbrook Athletic 1 King's AFC 7 - So it's King's versus Selly Oak in the next round. King's rolled back the years and seemed to be playing for fun whilst Bournbrook toiled and suffered. Goals from old stagers Dan Smith, Michael Jean added to several others from Aaron Mullin and Adam Ricketts whose dads played for the team when the league was first started.

And into the bottom half of the draw: Pye Green Towers 0 City Church 6 - Martin Ogbourn says: A straightforward win for City which puts them safely through to the next round of the cup. The game was competitive for the first ten minutes, but the game was decided after four first half strikes. This included a headed David Cooper goal (after the move of the game, and excellent cross from Stephen Bailey), a well-taken brace in the penalty area from Matthew Atkins and a solid finish from Daniel Atkins. Half Time; 0-4

The second half saw City attack for most of the period with some pleasing, varied play, and with more composed finishing (and without the woodwork and a reasonable display from the Pye Green keeper!) City could have scored several more. Stephen Bailey scored two more goals which were the only reward from the half, but it ensured City were safely through to the next round. The clean sheet was the most pleasing aspect for City. Pye Green play in a lovely setting and have a decent bunch of lads. They also kept going until the final whiste, and their goalkeeper played well.

St Thomas Aldridge 2 EK Corinthia 7 - City meet EK in the next round with a deceiving scoreline against St Thomas. Chris Morrison says: The score line might sound like a walk in the park but it was St Thomas who looked the better team racing into a 2-0 lead and kept that lead for 70 minutes. EK had to wake up and did so creating chances but not taking them. After what seemed to be another chance go by and thinking this wasn't our day a header from Dicky Stanford at the far post gave EK light.

We always knew if we could get one, more would follow and five minutes later Andy Marshall opened his EKaccount. We deserved the equaliser and extra time looked more and more likely. 2-2 at full time. Extra time came and EK seemed to step up three gears and went on to score five goals in extra time. St Thomas must have wondered firstly how they lost but by such a big margain but it just shows in football you have to see games out at any level.

Well doe to EK as this is the first time we have been past the first round! St Thomas are abviously going through a tough period but if they play 90 minutes like they did the first 70 results will soon pick up!

St Matthew's 3 Rockmount United 1 and St Mary's 2 MBD United 1 St Matthew's set up a tie with St Mary's after disposing of Rockmount yesterday. For me for some reason, St Matthew's and St Mary's go together. They entered the league at a similar if not the same time and have followed roughly the same path: They both wallowed at the bottom of the league for several seasons before coming of age and moving into Division One. St Mary's have done better, putting the icing on the cake, whereas St Matthew's have that left to do and the third round of the cup will be a good place to start.

John Myatt says: We should have won this by far more than one goal. First half we absolutely battered their goal missing a host of very presentable chances, with our usually reliable strike force off target! We finally went ahead through a smart finish from Toby but then preceded to relax and let them back in with a break from another of our attacks. The guy looked to be yards offside but unfortunatley for us the linesman did not agree.

We were a bit subdued in the second half after squandering so many chances and started a little slow but soon got into our stride and chances started to flow and be missed again (although not quite as freely as in the first half), Tink missing the best of the lot when a Coleman freekick rebounded off the post to find him three yards out in the middle of the goal, but his stooped header skewed wide!

MBD were looking OK on the break but we finally got the winning goal when substitute Karl Lawrence was put through by Tink and finished emphatically into the far top corner.

On reflection we should have won by far more, but I'd rather our strikers have an off day in the cup where goal difference doesn't count.

Sheldon 1 Dynamo Kingswinford 4 - I think I'm going to change my name to Mystic Ed as I seem to have predicted DK's future with alarming accuracy. Jason Russell adds: It's been a frustrating couple of weeks with a poor run of form and disappointing results. This week it was a real opportunity to forget about the league and focus on the cup.

We knew we had a performance in us and we started brightly winning the ball and passing and moving something that has been lacking over the past couple of weeks. It was only a matter time before our pressure created a goal. A scrappy one at that scored by Rob Waddams via four defenders. (I wouldn't stand for that Bob, I'm sure it was a beaut-Ed). We started to boss the midfield with some great performances from Kev Hodgetts, Andy Waddams and Scott Bradley, who scored our second goal from a header that was well worked on the right. We lost the influential Gary Lamsdale due to a hamstring injury just before half time but went in 2-0 up.

In the second half we started a little slow but Chris Sweetmore was always going to be a handful and it was hiss dogged determination that created the penalty that was despatched by David Abel using his good foot. We then had the opportunity to rest some players and managed to get a fourth. We allowed a Sheldon a goal by switching off, but we were well in control. We had some great performances from David Trask and Matt Smith nursing a black eye from last week's battle. Ross Hodgkins was immense and is showing the promise we that I believe he has.

Next week, its back to the league and we enjoyed this victory but still have a lot to learn. We still have a long way to go with our performances but the depth of the squad we have will make competition for places very interesting. In closing a big 'thank you' to the ref who had a good game and Sheldon who played with real spirit.

Clarendon 2 Zion Athletic 1 - James Hamilton says: We have very mixed feelings after this one. Having been motivated by Ed's prediction of a 'comfortable win for Clarendon', we were determined to create a big upset. (It always works. I seem to be doing half the managers' team talks these days-Ed). And we came so very close! Having weathered an early onslaught from the Clarendon strike force, we took an unexpected lead on the half hour. Last week against St Thomas' we had about 20 corners before we actually scored from one - today we scored from our first. Michael Knowles stole half a yard from his marker to volley past a motionless keeper. 1-0 and our tails were up, especially when Clarendon were reduced to ten men after their main striker talked his way into a red card. It was a busy 45 minutes for our back four and myself in goal, so we were pleased to come in at half time a goal to the good.

For the first part of the second half we again found ourselves on the back foot when really we should have been taking advantage of our numerical advantage. Clarendon's equaliser came from a counter-attack down the right hand side, which ended with a scuffed shot that trickled to the far side of the goal and was tapped in at the far post. For the remaining 20 minutes we played some fantastic football but just couldn't find the finish that we desperately needed. As we continued to press in the last ten minutes, we were caught again on the counter attack as our back four were caught flat. 2-1 and Clarendon had gotten themselves out of jail for the second week running but I am sure they would agree it was far from comfortable!

It was a difficult result to take, but Clarendon showed their class and resilience. Although disappointed at the result, we were mighty pleased with our performance and are continuing to show improvements all over the park. Next week will be another test as it is the 'Zion Derby'. We will be looking to secure our first competative victory over our local rivals, and after todays showing, we will have high hopes.

Lighthouse Lions 1 Halesowen Zion 3 - Dave Walters says: A competitive game here today, and one which we won through sheer effort rather than good football. We turned up with a depleted squad which resulted in players filling unfamiliar roles, Grant Doran as keeper! was the least of our worries.

The first half saw Lighthouse really up for the game and they played some neat stuff dominating possession but without troubling Grant in goal. As the half went on we started to look more threatening with Tom Doran lobbing the keeper and hitting the underside of the bar. After a good move on our right Tom found himself free in the area and blasted in for 1-0. We then went 2-0 up with Tom heading in his second.

In the second half again the Lions kept the ball well and were looking more likely to score and they eventually did after a nice bit of football and at 2-1 they had their tails up and could smell a shock win, it could have been 2-2 if Grant had not made a fine reflex save. We eventually tied up the game when substitute Ryan Pugh went on a great run and shot, the keeper made a good block but the ball looped up for Ryan to head in and set off on a most impressive celebration. We grafted our way through this game and well done to all our lads who gave 100%. The Lions must feel frustrated, they are a good young side and play a tidy passing game.

Wolverhampton and Perton Churches 2 Chawn Hill Church 0

Paul Taylor says: Once a bogey team always a bogey team! Without the pressures of the league Chawn threw everything (inc. kitchen sink) at a very impressive back four and a even more impressive and our voted Wolves' man of the match their goalkeeper.

Chawn started really strong and had some real good chances to take the lead but combinations of goal line clearances and spectacular saves kept it a very even game, pick of the saves would be a flying save off a Greg Jones' thunderous 20yrd shot. Unfortunately Chawn were succumb to a move and a finish to match, that reminded Chawn we were playing a good footballing team who have hopes of becoming Division One Champions. Chawn pushed for a equaliser but yet again went two behind from a great delivery from the left which was met by a superb header. 2-0 half time.

The second half was a very even match which saw both teams playing some good football and having goal mouth action. Chawn hit the post once and bar twice and were happy with the work rate of the team, G.I. Jack and the ever impressive Alfie were superb.

Congratulations must go to Wolves who took their chances very well and a mention must go to the back for and the goal keeper for a very impressive and professional performance. Chawn go back to league duties next week hoping to carry this work rate into the game and JJ (help me) and Kev 'super 1 in 7' Walters will be chomping at the bit.

Division Three

And whilst the rest of the league was in Cup action or resting, Living Hope Church and Brierley Hill AOG went at it up at Coseley.

Jon Bennett says: A good result for Brierley Hill today played against a great team in Living Hope

Brierley Hill started the match at a high tempo and began pushing Living Hope from the first few minutes, the pressure led to a hurried clearance from the Hope keeper which feel to Ian Clifton on the half way line, after looking up, he hit an audacious shot which found the keeper off his line and made its way into the net.

After this bright start Brierley tried to play some passing football which perhaps was in areas that did not trouble Living Hope as much as it should have. They grew in confidence as time progressed and finished the half by having a number of free kicks in fairly dangerous positions.

The second half again began with the Hill raising the tempo and applying the pressure on the Living hope defensive line, Sam Wakeman never letting the defenders settle on the ball for a second. We were rewarded when good work from Sam found Mike Tyler in the middle for a second goal for Brierley Hill.

As the half progressed Living Hope improved and began applying lots of pressure to the Hill goal, Carl Wakeman was immense at the back for Brierley today, winning everything that was placed up in the air. Living Hope were not disheartened and continued to press, forcing a tremendous save with his right boot from Matt Welch, as the game drew to a close Living hope scored a deserved goal with a neat finish in off the post from their striker.

A game played in a fantastic spirit today, it really was a pleasure to play against Living Hope, a great set of lads who are too good to keep losing, a win is not too far away boys! Brierley Hill have now have as many points as the whole of last season, we are more skilful, organised and determined this season but more importantly we have a winning spirit. Lets hope it continues.

Steve Farley adds: We found ourselves short of a goalkeeper again and we were grateful to midfielder Callum Oakshott stepping forward to don the gloves. Unfortunately Callum got caught out as early as the 6th minute when he fell victim to a 35 yard volley. Bang! we were 1-0 down. Living Hope refused to lie down though and we competed in an end to end game with few clear chances.

Striker Nathan Brain worked hard all game and went close in the 23rd minute when he headed on a through ball from midfield that beat the keeper and trickled tantalisingly close to the goal before being cleared off the line. Living Hope again went close on the half hour when Lee Smith and Calin Resmuves linked up to provide another heading opportunity for Nathan Brain but his effort was just wide. Three minutes later Nathan crossed in to Ben Davies but a Brierley Hill defender just got a toe in to force a corner just as it looked as if he would score.

Goalkeeer Callum Oakshott came to Living Hope's rescue in the 40th minute when he parried a Brierley Hill shot then saved two rebounds whilst still on the floor before the Living Hope defence beat the ball away.

Living Hope struggled at the start of the second half as Brierley Hill piled on some pressure and they hit the post from a long throw in the 47th minute. They then went 2-0 up in the 58th minute after we lost possession on the half way line which found several Living Hope defenders caught out of position.

In previous games this would have been the cue for Living Hope to lie down and die. This week though we were having non of it and I am pleased to say we upped our work rate and played our best football of the game during the last half hour. Unfortunately we had to wait until three minutes from time to peg a goal back with a Nathan Brain solo effort. The last three minutes were as frantic as anything I've seen in football as we pressed forward for a late equaliser. We were nearly rewarded in the last minute when the ball fell to Michael Boden on the edge of the penalty area but he screwed his shot just wide. So, a good close game and I think we were worth a point. Just a little bit of luck and we could have done it today but again it just wasn't to be.

One last word - on behalf of the lads I would like to wish Michal Boden and his wife Cheska all the very best as they head off to Brazil for the next three months where they are off to do some missionary work. Good luck Michael - there is now a gaping hole in midfield but if you come back next year and start playing like a Brazilian it will have been well worth it!

Saturday Preview - League Cup Round Two

This Saturday sees us reach the Second Round of the Cup, the first full round. The First Round this year was a bit of a prelim, with just eight teams involved. A quick scan down the list of ties and you'd have to say that predicting a winner from each one is far from easy. For a start, the Cup can do funny things. Teams will usually try and get their best side out as a good cup run can do wonders for morale. It also is a chance to play teams from other divisions and there's always the added incentive of knocking out a team from higher up the league.

It's almost if there's a sense that one side should certainly beat the other if they are from a higher division. Perhaps teams turn up expecting to win or panic a little when faced with teams from further down the league and the pressure is off the 'giant killer'; they have nothing to lose.

Top of the draw but last alphabetically Zion City are visited by 2005 winners and 2007 finalists Renewal Solihull. Oddly, both sides sit seventh in their respective divisions with a very similar record: Played six, won two, drawn one, lost three. Zion's goal difference looks a little tidier, with Solihull having a roller-coaster ride of a season, suffering heavy defeats one week, then winning easily the next. The winners will play Division Three new boys Common Ground who received a bye after Walsall's withdrawal.

The top quarter of the draw looks decidedly lightweight with Amblecote, the sole First Division side represented. They travel to Moor Lane for an away tie at Birmingham International, another tricky task to pick a winner. Both teams were in good form until last week-end, when they suffered defeats and in Inter's case it was a 9-1 trouncing. Maybe they were saving themselves for the Cup? With Amblecote at the top of the league, you'd expect them to win though.

The winners will play either All Nations or DC Dynamos an all third division match. Again, you'd expect DC to breeze this one and I'm sure they'd love to play Amblecote but that is far from a certainty. A few titbits to mention: Firstly, All Nations are at home. Although it's not exactly Carlisle away, or having to face a tempestuous caldron of noise like a trip to the Ali Sami Yen, an away trip can knock a team out of its stride. Many a time I've seen a team thrown by a couple of lads who are supposed to be playing but turn up just before or after kick-off. All Nations are also bouyed by the fact that last week they secured their first ever win in WMCFL. Whilst they have seemingly been glued to the foot of the league since they joined, I think a win was all they needed to get them started. I have also heard a rumour that DC are short of players due to a stag week-end and as it's the Cup, they were unable to use one of their two permitted free weeks. I offered my services but have heard nothing, so I'm not sure of the validity of the gossip. In all seriousness, DC should stroll it. As an aside, Galatasaray will be moving to an impressive new stadium, the Turk Telecom Arena in October 2010.

And into the second quarter of the draw, once again a major shortage of First Division teams. The first match is an intriguing fixture where old boys and former Cup Winners Rowley College are visited by new team St John's Church. I say new team but in reality, St John's have many players who have featured in WMCFL for years. So many of the ties are difficult to call and this is no different. Perhaps St John's will fancy their chances as they are riding high second in Division Three having won five out of six of their games and Rowley have struggled. Having said that, Rowley come into this game on the back of a morale boosting victory at Chawn last week. I'm plumping for a narrow St John's win as Rowley have not been firing in the goals this season. Only DK have scored fewer.

Rowley or St John's will play the winner of the next match: Sporting Zion vs St Boniface. Whilst St Boniface's form looked a little shaky, in truth they played some of the tough teams first. They have put that behind them and are having a much better October. Similarly, Sporting are still finding their feet but have only lost one of the five they've played. St Boniface should win this one.

Personally, I think the longest odds of anyone losing should be Selly Oak versus Sandwell. Famous last words. With Sandwell having conceded almost six goals a game and Selly Oak going into this one off the back of a 9-1 win against a quite decent Inter side, this match should be a home win. The one thing I'd add is that Sandwell don't seem to have trouble scoring, finding the net with far greater frequency than those around them in the bottom half of Division Three. They went one up against DC earlier in the season and it could have been two but for the width of the post. A couple of early goals against Selly Oak could start a panic and then you never know.

The bottom of the top half of the draw is completed with Bournbrook Athletic against King's AFC. Bournbrook are struggling a little but they have the players and perhaps are lacking a bit of confidence. A win against King's would be a great lift for the side that beat MBD 8-1 at the end of last year to secure second place in Division Three. King's have waxed and waned a little this year, starting poorly then putting a couple of wins on the board. Another match that is hard to call but perhaps a King's win?

Now the fun starts: The bottom half of the draw is surely the toughest section. For a kick-off both Clarendon and St Mary's are in it. Nine of the twelve First Division sides are featured in the eight matches, so any side that comes through will have deserved to have done so. To add to that, all of the First Round games led into the bottom half too, so they had to play an extra game.

The top of the bottom half sees Pye Green entertain City Church. City seem to have settled down as a First Division side and should brush aside Pye Green, who have yet to find their feet. Anything they take from this game should be a bonus. The winners will play either St Thomas or EK Corinthia, another hard to judge match. If EK do manage to get promoted then this match will give them some idea of what they will come up against. On balance, I think that EK have the edge going into this one.

And getting down the draw now, St Matthew's take on Rockmount United. Both sides will fancy their chances going into the game but the winner will have to play either St Mary's or MBD. MBD are a lively team and have some serious talent that is begining to blossom but I can't see them beating St Mary's just yet. I'm going for the old guard: St Matthew's vs St Mary's in the last sixteen.

Into the bottom quarter sees two sides that have seen better times. Dynamo started the season well, winning a couple of matches and led the table briefly. They have since lost all their games, which is a bit of a surprise. Pre-season I wrote them off but have since been assured that they have signed a few players including Chris Sweetmore, so thought I'd got it all wrong. I do think they'll beat Sheldon though, who are enduring a difficult season so far.

Next up, Clarendon versus Zion Athletic. Zion are a young side with plenty of energy and are likely to batter Clarendon early on. I can see the Cup Holders soaking up the pressure and cruising to a comfortable win.

After leading Clarendon 2-0 last week into the final stages of the game, missing a one on one that would have made it 3-0, Halesowen are surely a side that are going to be difficult to beat by anyone in the league. Last week must have been a hefty disappointment but the fact that should both sides get through, they will meet Clarendon in the Quarter-Final will be sufficient incentive to make sure on Saturday. But they come up a young, talented and determined side in Lighthouse Lions. It's early days for them and I think they will be a Division One side in due course if they stick together but I think Halesowen will be too strong just yet.

And last but not least, two illustrious names from WMCFL's history are paired in the last match. Chawn and Wolves' Secretaries both serve on the Committee and were sat next to each other on the top table as the draw was made. They were chuckling to each other as the draw got to its final stages, smiling and nodding 'I bet we're going to get you'. I'd say Wolves have the edge in this one, having got back into the top flight as champions of Division two. they also just knocked Amblecote out of their stride last week, whereas Chawn have mis-fired so far. It far from a foregone conclusion though.

Have fun lads and lasses.

The League Cup

A bit of nostalgia and history.

Since the League has been running, we've had a cup. Sometimes we've had two or more when the weather has been kind to us but it's our League Cup that I'm refering to.

Early Days

Records go back to 1982 when Calvary Temple were the first team on the trophy. They changed their name to Calvary, dropping the Temple a while back and they are now known as King's, as in the Church that belongs to the King, rather than the colour of their blood. Unfortunately, despite many attempts and several Cup Final appearances, King's have not managed to get their hands on it again since.

Next on the list in 1983 was a team called Oakham Evangelical. Oakham were one of the six founder members of the League back in 1979. The football team has long since folded but I'm pleased to say that the church is still going strong. On their web site they say that they have been serving the Tividale community since 1871! Wouldn't it be great to see that name revived?

The third name on the trophy is Tipton Pentecostal who won it in 1984 and 1987. These are my first memories of playing in WMCFL. I can remember playing up at Greets Green in West Bromwich on many a wet and freezing cold day. There were and probably still are factories alongside of the pitch, belching out all manner of gases into the atmosphere and when it rained it made your eyes sting. It was either that or the hair gel. I do remember playing Tipton in the Cup. It must have been '85 or '86 because we won and I scored.

The Cup was won by Bell End in 1985, they used to play on Britannia Park in Blackheath where Halesowen Zion played for a while. And then in '86 by Hockley Pentecostal, a big church near the centre of Birmingham that has also been running since the forties.

In 1988 and 1989 Sparkbrook Elim won the League and Cup double. A feat that was common in those days but no-one has achieved since Walsall Olympic managed it in 1994. When you played Sparkbrook, you got changed in the Church Hall and made your way out onto the pitch nearby. Winning the Cup or being the dominant team was not quite as difficult back in those days. For a start, there were only a handful of clubs, perhaps around ten competing. Nevertheless, they were the team to beat back then.

The Nineties

1990 brought a new name to WMCFL: Chawn Hill Youth Club. I think they were in addition to Chawn Hill Church FC. The Youth Club side was run by a chap named Donato Nardiello. He played for Coventry City back in the 70s and was capped by Wales a couple of times. I can remember having a Panini sticker of him for my Football 78 collection. Certainly not the only ex-professional in WMCFL but there haven't been that many and to my knowledge, he's the only full international.

1991 brought the first of Chawn Hill's four League Cup victories and a period of domination for them in the League. They followed the '91 win up with another in '92 which added to their title triple in 1991, '92 and '93. No-one else has won the title three years in succession.

In my mind, the competition moved into a new phase in the 90s and began to be more competitive. The league had some good sides competing in those days including names like Alpha, Chawn, Walsall Olympic, Aldridge Parish and Woodgate. In my opinion all these sides were easily a match for anything that the current crop could throw at them. In 1993, the trophy went to Alpha, the ninth name on the trophy in its first twelve years. Alpha managed a Division One title in 1995 but perhaps if they had joined in another era, they'd have captured more silverware.

Walsall Olympic's name then bursts onto the WMCFL scene and in 1994 they won both the League Cup and the Division One title. They seemed to fair a little better in the league, winning the chanpionship in '94, '96 and '97 but were unable to secure any further titles beyond this. Chawn won it again in 1995, followed by the name of Woodgate. In their day, they were a fearsome side and played football with confidence and flair. I was sad to see Woodgate disappear from WMCFL; I think if they'd stuck together, they'd have won much more than they did. Like Alpha, they added just one league title to their single Cup win.

1997 was the first League Cup Final that I attended and it was a cracker! I've been to every final since and we've had some really good games but the '97 final has to be up there with the best. It was eventually won by Aldridge Parish, another team who you'd have to put in your Top Ten All Time WMCFL sides. Pete Bennett will probably correct the detail (again) but from memory, some of his Rowley College side were involved in a car accident on the way and didn't participate. The game went ahead and was all square at 3-3 at the full time whistle. The match continued into extra time and Rowley took the lead very early on. It was a lead that they held onto until Aldridge scored twice right at the death to win the match 5-4.

The Cup reverted back to Walsall in 1998, who I think beat Aldridge in the final. Those two sides were neck and neck back then. Walsall went on to lose in the final in 1999 to a side named Staffordshire Moorlands. Staffs Moorlands had joined WMCFL after the collapse of the Mercian Christian Football League in 1998. The MCFL had been running with nine teams up until its demise, six of whom joined us (I think) including Staffs Moorlands, NSCU also from Stoke, St Thomas and Wolves and Perton. Allowing the Stoke sides in proved to be a bit of an error, as they were just based too far away. Nevertheless they took their opportunity and lasted a couple of years. It's one thing to travel up to Stoke once or twice a season but every other week gets to be a bit of a nuisance. And then there were mid-week fixtures.

The 2000s

In 2000 we moved into a new era adopting Halesowen Town's Grove stadium as our home, where we've been ever since. Chawn Hill Church won that one 1-0 in a tight final against Walsall Olympic. A single Carl Ashmore goal settling it. Rowley won the 2001 also by one goal, scored by Tom Botfield irradicating the disappointment from 1997. Oddly, Rowley are another side to have won both the League and Cup just once each. They beat City Athletic, who they themselves went on to win the trophy a year later.

2003 began the Dynamo years, when Dynamo Kingswinford were in their pomp. The Cup seemed to suit them and they won it in 2003 beating St Thomas 2-1 in the Thomas Cook final. In '04 they beat Calvary on penalties in a rain drenched game when a local lightning stike knocked out half the floodlights. They secured a hat-trick of wins in 2006 beating Halesowen Zion 3-2 after extra time.

Splitting the DK years was a surprise win for Renewal Solihull. Renewal are a side that seem to go from the depths of despair to dizzying heights of victory every other week. Sometimes they leave it for half a season before getting going, but the 2005 Cup Final was one of those occasions when the full squad showed up and put in a performance. They faced a Wolves and Perton team who were at the time at their peak but knocked three early goals past them which they never recovered from, eventually winning 6-2.

If '03-'06 were the DK years, then the last three perhaps could be described as the St Mary's years. Solihull were back again but were undone by a quality St Mary's team. I had written them off all the way, perhaps because I remember St Mary's wallowing in the nether regions of league for season after season. They still had quite a few players from those days, so it was a bit of a surprise to see them come of age. They came back the following year (2008) and beat Clarendon in extra time.

And lastly 2009. Clarendon entered WMCFL in 2002 and were straight away promoted as champions of Division Two. They followed that up with back to back Division One titles. They have since won Division One again and come runners up twice, so it was a bit of a mystery as to why they struggled in the Cup. But 2009 was a great year for the competition, with St Mary's and Clarendon neck and neck in Division One with St Mary's diving for the tape. As I've mentioned before, the Double is a tough ask and no-one has done it since 1994 and so it was in 2009. The two top teams swapped trophies as Clarendon finally put to bed the bogie that had been bugging them.

The Teens?

I'm not sure what we are going to call the 2010s, the Teens or the Tenners? Whatever we call it, WMCFL is stronger than ever with a record 36 teams entering the competition. It remains to be seen if we play the final at the Grove again as I believe Halesowen Town have gone into administration. For the last two years, St Mary's have played Clarendon in the final. That won't happen again as they are drawn in the same half of the competition.

So who will win it? Who knows?

Fixtures

There have been many changes to the schedule over the past few weeks and I'm sure many more will follow. As teams get knocked out of the Cup, matches may be brought forward, especially on 21 November when the Third Round is due to take place. We are in the early stages of planning a suplimentary cup competition should the weather hold off.

Just a polite reminder to players and secretaries: Your club is permitted to apply for two open dates during the season but must give 28 days' notice to the Fixtures Secretary should they wish to do so. This is to allow for events like weddings and the like, when it is quite possible that the entire squad will be away celebrating the nuptial. As in common with many other leagues, cup matches cannot be cancelled. So it's no good telling your manager at training on a Wednesday night that half a dozen of you are off to Dublin for a knees up the following Saturday.

Saturday Review

Division One

Wolverhampton and Perton Churches 3 Amblecote 1

Amblecote hold on to top spot despite losing their match with Wolves yesterday. Their hold on the top spot is tenuous as they lead by just one point but have played two more matches than St Mary's and Clarendon. The shape of the division is very familiar, with our top two clubs looking as dominant as ever whilst the trailing pack trip each other up. At least we know that it won't last for ever, unlike some leagues such as the SPL where the top two are so big that it seems that they will never be caught.

Simon Ashby says: I try not to make excuses in these match reports, especially in defeat, but yesterday we had a massive void to fill as we were without the absent Tim Fellows, the suspended Spencer Harris and after just a few minutes the injured Jadon Silva. I think these 3 are among the most creative players in Division One this year and the loss of all three for one game left us lacking a bit of inspiration and we didn’t really step us a team to fill the gap. As a result, in truth we were sloppy at the back, making silly mistakes, were lacking any kind of creative edge across the team and missing any passion which has served us well this year.

We started as always really well and for fifteen minutes passed Wolves off the park but didn’t really do anything with it. Then a classic sucker punch when a long throw in was headed in eight yards out and we found ourselves 1-0 down. Nothing really happened for most of the first half until a few second before the break when Kit Cartwright arrived late and bundled in a corner on the back post.

The second half looked to have a draw written all over it, but then as we pushed forward trying to secure another win we were twice caught on the break, the first a slightly fortunate ricochet goal and the third was of our own making as well. But hats off to Wolves they were better than us today and deserved to win.

I reflected afterwards that anyone watching from the side would likely say that these two teams are pretty decent, they won’t finish near the top, but won’t finish near the bottom! I hope that for our sakes we can prove this wrong in the coming weeks and challenge Clarendon and St Mary's at the top.

St Mary's 6 City Church 3

Martin Ogbourn reports: It was one of those crazy games today at St Mary's when both teams seemed to score at will and it could have been 8-8! Both teams hit the posts, and incredibly both keepers had reasonable games and made several good saves! It is always difficult against St Mary's sharp attacking players, but when you have to make two enforced changes to the back four during the game (one during the warm up!) it is going to make it even more difficult.

However, City played their part in an open (a little too open!), entertaining game and played some lovely, passing football in the first half. For most of the first period City were the better side after a slow start. City lead 2-1 after 40 minutes after a deflected finish from David Louden. This followed a lovely strike from Matthew Blount from the edge of the box to cancel out a good St Mary's break, and finish (after City went close!). However, St Mary's scored just before half time after a quickly taken free kick ensured another break and finish. This was one of the turning points of the game and left the score 2-2 at half time after it looked like we had control of the game.

St Mary's took heart from their equaliser, and came on strongly at the start of the second half (as they always seem to!) with goals from two set plays, and another cross and header. After 20 minutes City came again, and David Louden, David Cooper, Jason Garwood and Steve Bailey started getting the ball and causing problems for the St Mary's defence with virtually every attack. David Louden scored a good free kick, and at 5-3 City had several other good chances and looked the more likely to score with the St Mary's keeper making a 'top draw' save to tip a strong David Louden header round the post. However, City didn't learn from the previous breaks and St Mary's scored from another counter attack and fine goal to leave a flattering scoreline for St Mary's (and a harsh one for City!).

Overall St Mary's probably deserved to edge it, but a draw would not have been an unfair result. City played well in parts again, but need to learn to stay switched on for the whole 90 minutes. City can take some encouragement from the game and competed for the majority of the game. St Mary's had some very good players on show, and took their chances excellently so credit must go to their attacking players.

Nick Sprason adds: St Mary's enjoyed a hard earned win today against a tricky City Church side. We took the lead through Toby Flenley early on but were soon behind with two goals in quick succession as City gained the initiative following some sloppy St Mary's play, but fortunately we equalised just before half time following a quick free kick from Luke allowing Ian Coleman to equalise.

We started the second much brighter and quickly went into a 5-2 lead with goals from Luke and two from Tink. Dave Loudon pulled one back from a free kick but we finished off the scoring following a header from Toby. City look much stronger this year and with Louis and Dan Atkins back they will be a very tough proposition.

Clarendon 3 Halesowen Zion 2

Clarendon sit in third place on goal difference after that man Everton Morrison scores a crucial hat-trick. Pablo can surely stake a claim to being one of the best strikers in the league, however when you look down the list of Division One Top Scorers, it's hard to select one from the current crop. But he did the business yesterday and planted the ball in the net three times meaning Clarendon took the points and kept right on St Mary's coat tails.

Tommy Woodward says: We didn't play well today and Halesowen must be gutted not to come away with three points. They dominated and if it wasn't for our defence we could have been four down on the hour. Halesowen are a very good side and played excellent football but for only 75 minutes. Then a penalty changed the game and we managed to put some real pressure on the Halesowen back four that had cleaned up everything we had thrown at them. Pablo and Jason Greene then managed to stretch their defence and three late goals secured us the three points. Halesowen had been 2-0 up and were controlling the game and must be kicking themselves after losing. But we have two of the best strikers in the league and if you give them half a chance, they'll punish you. Halesowen have added some players and should push St Mary's and ourselves all the way this season.

Grant Doran adds: Well what can i say, 70 minutes gone 2-0 up and looking pretty comfortable only to finish the game 3-2 down. I think gutted is a pretty good word!!

Today's match was going to be a real test so we knew that we would need to be on top of our game if we were going to get anything out of it. We altered the team slightly with the intention of asking questions of their back line and to try to make them worry about what we were doing rather than sit back and try to soak up pressure.

When Spicer smashed us infront with a free kick everything seemed to be working to plan. We were working hard to shut down Clarendon and although they had a few shots at goal I can only remember one save that Simon needed to make. Half time and we were 1-0 to the good, but we knew that we had to maintain the work rate and retain the ball as much as possible if we were to take the three points.

Clarendon came at us from the whistle but we again managed to nullify there threat and began working the ball around the pitch well, creating several half chances. When Earl put the finish on a neat move that went from one wing to the other, it looked as if we were going to pick up a great result and as far as I am aware our first victory against Clarendon. As so often happens in football a small mistake, sloppy pass or poor finish can swing a game and so it proved here. After more good football through midfield, Tom was put clear with only the keeper to beat. Needless to say he didn't find the net and the chance to tie the game up went begging.

Two minutes later and in our box Morrison won and converted a penalty that gave Clarendon genuine belief and stripped Zion of their's. The game totally changed and from that point on it was defence against attack. We were unable to pass the ball over five yards, so found ourselves chasing Clarendon players who now seemed to be ten yards faster and fresher. Sloppy play led to the ball finding it's ways to Morrison just inside our area and after shifting the ball across his body he drilled a low shot in of the inside of the near post. With only minutes remaining and Zion players now chasing shadows Morrison again found space in the box and as he so often does slide the ball into the back of the net to take the match ball and the points and leave Halesowen total shell shocked.

I must give the Clarendon lads credit for the way they never gave up and kept going to the end, but equally for 70 minutes Halesowen played some great football and kept a very good team at arm's length. I must say though that despite this, the way we ran out of steam was really disappointing. I think we need a few more sessions on the training ground.

Sheldon 2 St Matthew's 3

St Matthew's dump Sheldon to the bottom of the division with a slim 3-2 win at Saltley yesterday. The bottom two do seem cut adrift now and Sheldon have scored just six goals in six games, the poorest return in the entire league. On the bright side, they gave St Matthew's a game yesterday, a 3-2 reverse against them is no disgrace. Perhaps they have learnt how to lose and expect it every week?

St Boniface 4 King's AFC 1

St Boniface's early season slump seems over with a convincing score-line from their match with King's. Despite their four defeats, St Bs are one of the division's top scoring sides, only St Mary's and Halesowen have scored more.

James Gray says: We have been playing well in all our games so far but we lacked team spirit. Last weekend we found it with a superb effort from eleven men. As we all know King's on their day can trouble any team, however we kept pressure on them at all times and came away with a well deserved three points!

Zion Athletic 2 St Thomas Aldridge 2

Marc Buller says: We finally got some points on the board today with a 2-2 drew away at Zion Athletic. We started the day off having to sign three new players as our injured list continues to grow.

The game itself started quite even with both teams creating the odd chance while trying to get hold of the game. We struck first with a great run and finish from new signing Matthew Letford, a player who looks like he could be a great addition to the squad. We continued to press and looked to increase our lead while Zion were also pushing for an equaliser; this made to be a quite entertaining first half. Zion came very close to scoring when a corner was punched by our keeper onto the underside of the bar which then bounced off our player on the line out for another corner. The equaliser did come after we failed to clean our lines properly and the Zion player was at hand to knock the ball in.

We didn’t get off to the best of starts in the second half and Zion continued to dominate slightly and have the better chances. A couple of good saves from our keeper Rob Wood kept us in it. We were unlucky not to have taken the lead though after a ball from the right hand side found Matt Brady free in the area but he was unlucky not to have capitalised. The Zion goal did eventually come when a corner was headed in after what looked to have been some pushing on our keeper, which unfortunatly for us the referee didn’t see. We then got back into the game through a penalty after Marc Buller was tripped in the box which was then put away by Matt Challinor. Both teams pushed on for a winner but neither could find one.

A much better display from us today dispute all the injuries, the new lads look like will make a big impact for us this season. A few key displays from us today, the two new lads in midfield Matthew Letford and Alex Mulloy were both superb as was Matt Brady who worked tireless for 90 minutes sweeping up in defence as well as his normal striking duties. A small mention as well to Mark Roadway and Dan Simmonds in the centre of defence both had fantastic games in my opinion and restricted the chances of the opposition. It’s a start for us now and we’ve really got to kick on from here and hopefully next week will be the start of a good cup run also!

Division Two

Champions Church 5 Bournbrook Athletic 1

Shawn Devonport says: A good win for us today on a fantastic flat surface at Coneygree. Bournbrook were eager, arriving at 9.30 and out to warm up by 9.45 and you sensed they were up for it today. We started sluggishly but fortunately got an early goal when Joe Smith played me in to finish from just outside the box. Bournbrook came back at us though and were unlucky not to equalise when Rob Moody cleared an header off the line from a corner, but we then started to click. Rion missed a glorious one on one and then I did the same shooting tamely at the keeper. We then had a goal disallowed before we finally made it 2-0 when Rion jumped highest from a corner and Greg Thompson scored from two yards out.

Bournbrook then weathered a mini storm with some good last ditch blocks as we kept looking to get in behind them. They were not giving up easily either with Carl Mckenna looking lively but Rob Moody did an excellent man marking job on him first half and then Ralphy second half when he switched sides. Carl hit the post just before Bournbrook pulled one back from a header off a long throw to make it 2-1. Within a minute though we restored the two goal lead when Greg Thompson got his second with a diving header from close range. That was the last of the scoring for the first half, we deserved the lead but Bournbrook were well in the game.

Second half saw Bournbrook really come at us early doors and they had a succession of corners. They were also seeing a lot more of the ball but unfortunatley for them our defence was immense today and they soaked up everything that was thrown at them, so Bournbrook weren't creating anything of note. We went 4-1 up when I drove one in at the near post and a deflection took it past the keeper and right at the end when we were seeing a bit more of the ball Greg got his hat trick when a bad goalkeeping error allowed him in for an open goal. It was all down to his hard work and he ran himself into the ground all game. Bournbrook will wonder how they didn't create more chances reallly because they had the lion's share of possession but we seemed content at soaking up the pressure today and hitting them on the counter which we did really well.

We have no match for three weeks now as were out the Cup and should have played Walsall on 24th so its Dynamo Kingswinford next up. Were missing Ralphy, Rion Mills and Timmy Bamber but it gives the guys on the sidelines a good chance to stake a claim. Just want to again say well done to the guys at the back today they were simply brilliant all four of them and well done to Greg on his hat-trick after a frustrating few weeks on the sidelines!

Jon Earp adds: First game back for me on the touchline after losing Adam and I was not impressed with the mistakes that handed Champs all three points today. Seems like the story of the season so far, play well but throw it away with mistakes. We played good football throughout and the 5-1 score-line does not reflect the game. Things can only improve with players coming back, I do feel when we get our best eleven out we will start to win games week in week out. Rion Francis-Mills is the best player Champs have and played well throughout the game. Will take a few weeks to get us right and get players back from injury and fit.

EK Corinthia 7 Renewal Solihull 1

Chris Morrison reports: Where do I start but say that EK really showed what their new look team are starting to achieve today. Right from the word go EK dominated the game and chance after chance went begging!! It could have been one of the games but once Matt Dormer opened the scoring EK went from strength to strength. Soon after EK went 2-0 up: A great passing move and a cool finish from Sean Stewart.

Then goal of the game from Ash Woodfield. A great strike from 25 yards out, right in the top corner! EK were very pleased, going to the break 3-0 up but were thinking in the back of their mind the last two games when we were winning by the same score and almost threw it away! In fact when the game re-started Renewal were awarded a pen and scored but EK then found their rhythm again and pushed on.

EK again dominated the game and goals from Matt Dormer, Luke Perkin, Chris Morrison and Tom Bird finished what was an all round excellent display. Final Score 7-1. The players who didn't make the starting eleven did their job when they came on: Matt Lowe, Andy Marshall and Tim (Heskey) and are really making it a hard job to pick our best eleven. Solihull are a well organised team but I think they found us on a really good day.

MBD United 3 Dynamo Kingswinford 0

MBD slip into third place with a 3-0 win at home to Dynamo. It's looking tight at the bottom though, with Rowley and Chawn picking up points recently but MBD look poised once they have caught up their deficit of games.

Selly Oak Methodist 9 Birmingham International 1

Rob O'Neill says: Seventeen goals for and five against in our last three games. We've lost two games this season both close run and away against the top two sides (currently) in the league and yet as I type I think we sit sixth, two points of third and five off second but with a game in hand. It doesn't look too bad when you type it out and yet even after our 9-1 win today the Selly Oak dressing room had a view of what could have been and determination to make things better.

We turned up today knowing a win was a must. We started putting the nets up at quarter to ten and by the time we'd finished putting up the first net about five minutes later Inter were warming up. It was clear they were up for it and if you look at the size of some of their players especially their number seventeen today. It can be quite intimidating.

A nice morning at Lion farm with the previous night's rain and the morning dew emulating a Premiership ground's sprinklers, the match set off at a pace. It was Selly Oak who struck first quite early, with Laurence Belgrave making a speculative shot from about twenty-five yards out which their keeper initially saved but it managed to spin off into the net. As we know so well, we couldn't get carried away and we still had at least 87 minutess to go. The second came not too long after a corner into the box and Carl Jones rising at the back post headed the ball to the ground and into the back of the net. Lukiano Zinetti and Laurence Blegrave with a great finish making it a comfortable scoreline at half time of 4-0.

We knew Inter would come out strong in the second half and we seemed to have weathered the storm but their No. 8 who seemed to have the ball glued to his feet at times knocked the ball into the box for their striker to stab home from seven yards. We answered back very quickly (I think this is the right way round) with Lukiano Zinnetti winning a penalty after skipping into the box and being brought down and converting his own penalty. Carl Jones grabbing another two to complete a hat-trick to replace the one taken away from Walsall folding with one of them from the spot after himself being brought down inside the box. Jamie Williams with an absolute peach into the roof of the net from 25 yards and an own goal completing a 9-1 convincing win.

I think Inter had two shots on goal all game with our defence once again being awesome, they don't always get mentioned by name in these reports but none the less they are a blessing as far as I'm concerned as the goalkeeper. We could have scored more with Daniel Morris hitting the post with a great shot, the ball being cleared off the line in the second half and their keeper who by no means had a nightmare making a few saves.

Today shows what we can be capable of. We don't have a weak link in the squad let alone the first eleven with players such as Dan Jennings who got 15 goals last season and Hadi Zareian, not even playing today and they'd both walk into most teams in this league. We just need to cut out those ten minute lapses that have plagued us for seasons and can cost us. Next week brings us a Cup game against a Sandwell side struggling in the third division but who are capable of scoring goals and by no means a match we will be taking lightly. Then we take on Renewal and MBD which if we can win we will be right back in the mix.

A final word on B'Ham Inter, they clearly had an off day today but on the whole have some great players in their team they battle hard and have a great friendly attitude on them on the whole, so I wish them luck for the rest of the season. And finally it's not often the ref gets mentioned (if they do, I have to edit it out-Ed) but I think even if we lost 9-1 the ref would've got 100% from me today.

Chawn Hill Church 0 Rowley College 2

Paul Taylor says: A lack lustre and dis-jointed performance from Chawn gifted Rowley with their first points of the season. Performances from Bedda and Tiggs where the only positives that could have been taken from the first half which Rowley dominated. Chawn hoped for a better second half but much of the same followed, even three subs and a change in formation didn't help.

Chawn pushed for a equaliser and got caught on the brake as Rowley confirmed their good performance with a second goal. Chawn did have chances but missed opportunities from regular goal scorers and a great point blank save denied Daz a wonderful volley.

Chawn come away from this one scratching heads and disappointed as on paper and on past performances this was a potential three points (even our harshest critic Ed had us down for a win). Chawn were locked in the dressing room after the game and the analysis started. The end outcome was a mixture of complacency and un-willingness to battle ended in our downfall. School report would say 'No concentration, MUST do better'.

Rowley must be congratulated as they played really well and were worth their win playing some good football (some of it owed to Chawn's poor work rate). The game was not the best to watch and our performance was worse.

Chawn have the league pressure off next week as we travel to Wolves for the Cup and hope to put in a performance which reflects why Chawn used to be one of the most feared clubs in the First Division.

Pete Bennett adds: After twelve competitive games without a win, today represented a massive release of energy for the new Rowley. Having played so well to no avail last week and having conceded eighteen goals in four games, Mark rang the changes at the back. In came big Tom Maher for his first start and veteran Matty Dyer, one of the original class of 1991, for his first start since the cup final of 1997. This was an emotional moment for me since Mark Southall, Matty and myself had also played in Rowley’s first game at South Road against Chawn in 1992: seventeen years ago (also my memories stretch further back to a rare goal I scored at South Road {then Swan Pool Park} in 1978!). What we needed was a leader and despite being slightly ‘larger’ and slower Matty talked and walked our lads through to a clean sheet while Tom simply fought for every ball. They were ably supported both on and off the pitch: by goalkeeper Lee Roberts and full backs Hill and Jones and by a Rowley bench of seven (four of whom therefore got nothing today) who gave 90 minutes worth of support (hats off to Matt, Simmo, Steve, Scotty, Joe, Danny and Nathan).

Sorry for the long preamble but it’s been a while coming. Anyway the game was, as you’d expect was properly competitive against a Chawn side as good as anything we’ve played this season and offering a model of commitment and sportsmanship which is a credit to their manager and this league. Offensively I think we just about had the edge with further evidence that we have quality once again in the front six. Marc McLaren was always a handful up front and early on his intelligent cross was met by Simon Morris for 1-0. This was up the slope and we were relieved to go in 1-0 since Chawn made us work hard and Lee made one terrific save. In the second half our other recent ‘find’ Nathan Hylton showed us more reasons to believe we can get on a run while Southall and McIvor put in good shifts and Alan Micklewright continued to threaten. We were never going to make it easy for ourselves but at least a late goal which involved a lovely through ball from one sub (Danny Wheeler) and a lovely finish from another (Nathan Wilkins) gave myself and the backroom boys some room (five minutes) to smile in. By then Mark had settled responsibly into a holding role to see out his first win as team manager. All this and the Cup next week!

Division Three

Junction Ten Village 2 DC Dynamos 3

Mark Crouch reports: A game against second today and a game that I honestly feel no one gave us a chance in. All the sweeter the victory then as DC turn Junction 10 on their home turf. Our team today wasn't so much make-shift as people having to play out of position as we were two centre backs and a centre forward out today with seven goals between them.

Junction 10 started brightly and were the first to score as DC were guilty of being pulled to the ball, leaving acres of space in the middle and an easy tap in from the cross. It was a very even game for the next fifteen as DC went close with a free kick from James Cole and Adam Doupe pinged the cross bar from 30 yards; Junction 10 coming close also. DC drew level though when Clint Dudson swung in a great cross from the corner and Adam Doupe rose above the defender and smashed in a bullet header.

Junction 10 came right back into it with a succesion of corners, one eventually bearing fruit as the ball came off our defender and fell to their striker's feet who made no mistake with a well hit strike. Gavin Priest made two awesome saves in the half and although the half could have easily finished 4-4 it was 2-1 to Junction 10.

DC started better when the second half commenced and kept Junction 10 in their own half for 10-15 mins. The pressure told as some great play saw the ball on the edge of the box and Dave Rich ran in and rifled a stunning strike into the roof of the net: 2-2.

Junction 10 always looked threatening on the attack but their number seven and man of their match was guilty on at least two occasions of not shooting and over-playing the ball. We had the bit between our teeth now and our back four were simply outstanding today. Repelling attack after attack from Junction 10. Special mentions must go to Ben Russell playing at right back Paul Blewitt playing at centre back instead of right back Jon Murphy playing with a broken toe and to Steve Burford our man of the match who must be the best centre back in the league.

With ten minutes to go it was DC who scored the winner and took the points. The ball was worked well out of defence and was passed out wide right to Chris Gee who beat the man and went on a glorious run, smashing the winner into the back of the net from the right handside of their penalty area. At this point you would have thought we had won the World Cup and you know what? That what it feels like. This was a great game of football to watch today and it was nice that we cemented our position at the top today and hopefully sent out a message that not only have we improved since last season but are serious contenders.

St John's Church 1 Brierley Hill AOG 0

Adam Wall reports: St John's went into this game looking to bounce back from that disappointing away defeat to DC last week. They were make to work very hard for the three points here.

The game started brightly with both teams trying to keep the ball down and play football. Although both were trying to feed the front men, chances were kept to minimum as defences played very well. St John's had a big penalty shout turned down when Brierley Hill's Carl Wakelam misjudged a high ball and let it drop onto his arm. The shouts went up but the ref deemed it to be completely accidental and not to be gaining an advantage by using the arm.

The vistors then went close when they fired a free kick on target from thirty yards forcing Adrian Partington into a good stop. St. Johns managed to break away and Jon Holmes crossed for Adam Wall to head on target but a good reaction save halted the celebrations. Just before the break Ryan Venables played one two with Paul Beagen and the striker fired home when it looked to be getting away from him. HT 1-0.

The second half's early proceedings were dominated by St John's: Daniel Platt struck the post and Ashley Hamer had a good chance saved. As the game wore on Brierley got back into the game and put St John's under pressure even having a goal ruled out for a foul on the goalkeeper. St John's held on and a first clean sheet was key today; well done boys.

Well done and unlucky to Brierley.

Rockmount United 7 Sandwell United 3

Rockmount move up to fourth, leap-frogging CGU who slipped up again yesterday. For Sandwell, the result leaves them bottom of the table in an all too familiar position: No points and having conceded the most goals in the league. They can take positives from their situation though; they do ssem to be scoring far more freely and have hit the net more often thean any other team in the bottom half of the table.

Sporting Zion 2 Common Ground United 2

Sporting Zion hold CGU to a draw at Lion Farm to leave them without a win in three after such a good start. The tie now has a decidedly mid-table look to it or perhaps 'bottom of the promotion chasers'. Everyone has dropped points in the division now, which is a healthy statistic and it's looking very close at the top.

Zion City 5 Pye Green Towers 0

A nice win for ZC against new boys Pye Green moves them away from the bottom four who seem to have set up a mini-league for themselves. However, Zion City seem to be a cut above the bottom four and from the look of the result had a good day against Pye Green still finding their feet in WMCFL. I may have said this many times before but there are plenty of teams in the league who really struggled when they set out, not least of which St Mary's, who bounced along at the bottom of Division Two for four seasons before slowly climbing right to the top.

Keep going chaps.

All Nations 3 Living Hope Church 2

Ed - I'll apologise to Living Hope before I say what I'm going to say but this result put a smile on my face. I'm sure Living Hope will have their day and I have absolutely nothing against them, they are a great bunch. It wasn't a disaster for them, just another Saturday but a triumph for All Nations. Well done lads for sticking with it. I know people that walk off in a huff if they lose one game. To play for eighteen months without a win and stick to the task takes some doing. I take my hat off to that. Incidentally, I'm sure Living Hope will win a game soon. Having taking a point off Rockmount, that three points is just around the corner.

Shane Wedderburn says: All this week the boys thought that this was going to be their week and that they had a point to prove after the disappointment last week, however, we did not start that way in the game and in typical All Nations fashion we conceded a goal in the first five minutes through sloppy defending once again. To be honest I think the boys like doing things the hard way because immediately we woke up and started to play like we know we can, but towards the end of the half things got scrappy and a through ball from one of the Living Hope midfielders split our defence and their striker went in one-on-one against our keeper who made a brilliant save! Now, when I say that our captain (Lee Spence) pushed the troops on from that moment, I mean it as straight from the goalie's kick we retained possession and passed the ball around brilliantly for a brief moment, then when the ball found its way to Alfie Silvano in the centre circle he put in a great through ball and Curt Stewart broke the defence, who had their hands up in vain for an offside, and finished emphatically off the crossbar from the edge of the area. With five minutes left till half-time I think the boys were still excited about the equaliser and poor defending once again allowed a flick on from one striker to find the other and this time he won the battle one-on-one with our keeper. 1-2 HT

The half-time team talk saw the boys fire themselves up for the second half and believe me we were a different team. We played some great football at times passing the ball around smoothly and midway through the second half we equalised with Curt becoming the provider this time picking the ball up on the left and slotting a brilliant ball into the on-form Jay Proudman, who managed to get a stroke of luck with the ball rebounding off him as his initial shot was saved. This gave the boys the heart and belief that we could get the result. Just like last week, we thought it was a game we just had to win and a point just would not do, so we went gung-ho, all out attack leaving space at the back and we were fortunate not get punished for it.

With the game reaching its climax with just five minutes left on the clock a huge kick from our keeper caused the Living Hope defence problems with Sam Jarvis putting them under pressure, eventually the ball broke kindly for the man who was inspired today (Curt) and with the goal of the game won it for All Nations after he chipped the keeper beautifully from 25 yards. That goal sparked some of the wildest celebrations I've seen in park football (you weren't at the DC game-Ed) however we seemed to forget that five minutes were still left and Living Hope pressed for an equaliser, but the boys worked hard and held on for our FIRST EVER VICTORY IN THE WMCFL!

I would like to thank Living Hope for being such great sportsmen and the ref and we hope they have a good season.

But I would like to thank the boys more for sticking at it and working so hard for what we finally deserved, now we just hope to God that we can build on this and have a great season ourselves.

Steve Farley adds: A bad result for us today. We need to improve urgently if we are to be competitive in this league. All Nations wanted it more and their extra commitment paid off with a winning goal five minutes from time. Their striker chased for a long ball he couldn't possibly win but when we failed to clear our lines he accepted his gift and slotted the ball home. A good lesson in commitment hopefully learned.

Nevertheless their were some good positives to come from this game. Goalkeeper James Farley made a tremendous save in the second minute. A 25 yard shot looked to be headed for the top corner of the goal until he tipped it over the bar. Then, in the fourth minute a Lee Smith free kick deflected into the path of skipper Dean Russell at the back post for an easy goal.

The result of this game hung on the events of the 39th minute when a long kick from our keeper fell into the path of Michael Boden who controlled the ball expertly and ran through the All Nations static defence. With just the keeper to beat their goalie made an excellent save and from the long ball clearance All Nations beat the off side trap to equalise. So close to being 2-0 up yet we were pegged back to one a piece!

In the 44th minute we retook the lead when another long ball from James Farley was flicked on by Chris Webb. This time the ball fell to Lee Smith who showed good pace to lose his marker and run on and shooting in from 15 yards. All Nations would not give up though and in the 64th minute pegged it back to 2-2 and from then on Living Hope began to fade. Central defenders Dean Russell and consistent Andy Parkes fought hard to hold back the pressure but Living Hope eventually cracked with just five5 minutes to go. Whether its lack of fitness or whether its a lack of desire I am not sure but the fact remains we have led in three out four league games and and have failed to win each time.

Our man of the Match was Calin Resmuves for an impressive display of one touch passing to show us how football should really be played.

Saturday Preview

Division One

Amblecote look to extend their unbeaten run with a tough match away at Wolves and Perton. Wolves' form has been mixed, whereas Amblecote seem to have hit the ground running. Once upon a time, these two sides were considered very serious title contenders. Amblecote did eventually win the title, whilst Wolves faded a little. I am surprised that Amblecote have done so well but once again, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. A win away at Wolves will be further proof that Amblecote are back, a defeat may suggest it was all a flash in the pan. W&P could do with the points though. A win for them would probably see them progress up the table, as the top six all play each other. I think a draw?

Second on the agenda is St Mary's v City Church. St Mary's will be without Josh Blunt who is recovering from a nasty break to his arm. Luckily for them, they have very adequate back-up in Andy Beeson, Ian Coleman and several others I'm sure, not that they won't miss Josh. He's been a regular feature in the St Mary's side over the last few years. City seem to have changed quite a few players over the close season, with a Clarendon contingent joining. Jason Garwood, Conrad Campbell and Dave Cooper have moved across the City. All three formed the backbone of one of WMCFL's most potent sides: Woodgate. On their day, they were superb players in a great team and I'm sure they will be a welcome addition to an already decent side.

Last season City were one side that St Mary's struggled to beat, drawing the corresponding fixture 3-3 and narrowly beating them 3-2 when they played them in Birmingham. St Mary's have been in devastating form so far this year, although they were getting a game last week up against Halesowen and were winning 2-1 with the match two-thirds complete. I think that the fact that St Mary's are at home may play a part in the result and they will secure the points.

Clarendon play Halesowen this week-end in an interesting tie. Clarendon seemed to be coasting a little early on but blew away the young pretenders from Champions Church in the Cup. They will need to be on their mettle if they are to beat Halesowen. I think they will as perhaps Halesowen will struggle to contain the Clarendon strike force.

So if the top six are all playing each other, the bottom six must be too. So on paper, the matches should be tight. King's, still in the bottom half, take on St Boniface who've just extricated themselves from the wooden spoon spot. King's will want to add to their back-to-back wins but naturally, St Boniface will want to start to put together a run. It's one game that I'm struggling to suggest a score. St Boniface's five matches have contained thirty-five goals, an average of seven a match. Maybe a draw.

St Matthew's travel to Sheldon anxious to banish last week's disappointment against St Boniface. Whilst Sheldon haven't much to show from their endeavours so far, they have competed in most their games. I still fancy a St Matthew's win.

So that leaves Zion Athletic versus St Thomas. Neither side have looked particularly potent in front of goal with Zion Athletic the joint lowest scorers in the league, alonside of Sheldon. Despite their lack of goals, there are three sides placed lower than them but unless they can start scoring soon, they will fall into the bottom three I'm sure. St Thomas are one of just four teams out of the thirty-five without a point to their name. Another hard to predict match, perhaps a home win if they can find their scoring boots.

Division Two

Just eleven sides in this division now; I think it's Lighthouse that are taking the day off. League leaders take on Bournbrook this Saturday. The form book would suggest that Champions just need to turn up but I would suggest that Bournbrook are a team waiting to pounce. They have the players on their books capable of mounting a promotion push but are missing a few key men due to injury. I still think Champions will win.

EK lie in second but have a played a game more. They must go on winning if they are to remain at the top of the bunch chasing Champions Church. They face a tricky tie this week-end as they entertain Solihull at Moor Lane, a team that are unpredictable at best. I think EK will win this one though, they have a big and talented squad.

Inter have risen to third in recent weeks and will look to build on their good form. They come up a Selly Oak side slipping down the table, in need of arresting their decline. In Carl Jones, Selly Oak have found themselves a gem up front to augment their already slick and tidy team. I'm baffled to see them so far down the league. This will be one of those games that defines the fortunes of both sides this year. I'm tending to a Selly Oak win, despite the league table suggesting otherwise. Inter's wins have all been against the bottom three.

In sixth, MBD play Dynamo at home. I think that MBD's placing in the league is a little low due to their lack of completed matches. They were one of just eight teams that played in the first round of the Cup, dispatching Living Hope and should have played Walsall last week. I think they'll win.

And lastly Chawn Hill play Rowley College, two teams that have seen better days having both won the League and the Cup. The current Rowley side, a little depleted from last year, doesn't seem to have clicked just yet. They need to start clicking soon or will find themselves in a relegation battle for the rest of the year. Chawn seem to have pulled themselves away from the bottom of the table and another three points will go well to continue that trend. I think they'll do it.

Division Three

Now here's a tie to make the mouth water: DC Dynamos, fresh on top of the division face their sternest test so far: A trip to Junction Ten Village. It's a key game in the chase for the Division Three title. A win for Junction Ten would mean that they steal a march on DC, overtaking them with a game in hand, whereas a DC victory would put them in pole position. J10 were heavily depleted last week, with a bunch of players away on a stag week-end. They will all need to be present if they are to win this one. A quick glance at the goals for and against should suggest a home win and the fact that J10 are at home should give them the edge. A blockbuster tie though.

St John's will want to put last week's disappointment behind them with a win this week but they come up against a Brierley Hill side in determined mood. They seem to have turned over a new leaf this year springing a surprise against Common Ground last week. Another three points this week-end would mean that such results will no-longer be considered as a shock and will be taken far more seriously going forward. I think St John's will make home advantage pay.

So Common Ground pick themselves up and drag themselves over to Lion Farm to play Sporting Zion. No easy task but again, it's an imporatnat game for both teams. If you take last week's results out of the equation, you'd have heavily backed Common Ground but Sporting won 5-0 and CGU lost 3-2. I'm going to say CGU will bounce back.

Rockmount lie in fifth place, unbeaten in five. That little statistic slipped under the radar. A win for them against strugglers Sandwell United would perhaps turn the top four into a top five and from a quick glance at the league table, that's what I think will happen.

It's eighth versus ninth as Zion City play Pye Green. Both sides have a win a piece so far this year and would dearly love to add to that tally. I don't think that either team will make a big impression this year but I hope they can continue to play their football and enjoy it.

And last but not least Living Hope Church travel to All Nations hoping to add to their point they took from their match against Rockmount last week. Sadly All Nations do seem to have settled back into their bottom berth in WMCFL but will have a chance to break their duck. I think the weather will be a little better than last week, although it could be a bit windy again.

Player Looking for Team

Wayne Taylor, who currently plays for St Mary's Welwyn in the Hertfordshire and Borders Football League, is moving into the Cannock area and is looking for a club. If you can help. please contact him at taylord4u@hotmail.com

Birmingham International

Inter are still looking for a goolkeeper. If you are interested, please get in touch with Kwesi on 07878 598991.

Saturday Review

Birmingham County FA Saturday Junior Cup

Clarendon 2 Cradley Heath Liberal Club 1

Stephen Greene strikes twice as Clarendon progress to Round Two of the County Cup.

Division One

Halesowen Zion vs St Mary's

Josh Blunt suffered a nasty break to his arm yesterday which caused the match to be abandoned. Sometimes games are stopped because of inappropriate behaviour by the participants; this was not the case here. It is almost certain that the match will be rescheduled for a later date and replayed in full. This just needs ratification from the Management Committee.

Josh went up for a header with a Halesowen centre-half, lost his balance and fell heavily breaking one bone and dislocating another. The arm has been cast after the dislocated bone was put back in place. He'll have to return to the hospital to see if he needs any surgery later this week.

Grant Doran reports: Today's game was going to be a real test for us to see how accurate the whispers of a title push actually are. We started the game facing into the wind looking to nullify St Mary's and then use the wind in the second half to pin them in. The lads' work rate was excellent and although the bar got rattled several times, we had managed to keep St Mary's free scoring strike force at arms length. They did get their noses in front after a sweeping counter attack which was finished with a great left foot shot into the corner of the net. Half time and we trailed by the single goal, and had done the hard work battling against the opposition and the wind.

We started the second half looking to get back on level terms as quickly as possible. Cocky scored his first of the season and brought us level only to fall behind again after more poor defending allowed a St Mary's midfielder to head home from the corner.

Unfortunately the game became a side issue as Josh Blunt broke his arm after falling heavily in the box. We would like to wish him a speedy recovery.

Amblecote 3 St Thomas 2

Marc Buller reports: Another disappointing result for us today, the table certainly doesn't look great. We need to improve fast before its too late. We got off to a positive start playing some good football and creating a couple of half chances. We then took the lead after some great work from Mark Hadden allowed Marc Buller to slot home past the keeper. After that we seemed to switch off and invite pressure onto us from the Amblecote midfield. Amblecote created a few half chances but the game lacked any real drama as the first half came to a close.

Again for the fourth time this season we seemed to go home for the second half and within the first 10 seconds we were lucky not to have conceded; not the start we had hoped for! We did eventfully concede after an Amblecote player ran unchallenged from midfield to shoot from outside the box which was spilled by our keeper to the Amblecote striker to tap in. Amblecote kept the pressure up and scored their second goal not long after. We then got back into the game after some great work from Matt Brady allowed him to beat the keeper after holding off the defender. We then switched off and got caught out of postion, after a cross from the right hand side was knocked home we were 3-2 down and thats how it finished when the final whistle went.

We need a win badly to install some confidence and maybe a physio as we're missing about six players through injury and haven't finished the last two games with eleven fit players on the park. Its funny how football at this level works: a month ago we drew with St Mary's and beat Junction 10. We were missing ten players that played those games, all major players, if only we had some of them the last couple of weeks, if only...

Simon Ashby adds: First of all we want to join in wishing Josh at St Mary's a speedy recovery from injury. I am sure he will be back playing soon (The day after we play them would be ideal!!), but get well soon mate, injuries are a nuisance but I'm sure you won't be out for too long.

I think we entered yesterdays game with a bit of complacency thinking top v bottom would be easy, but in WMCFL there are very few easy games and we nearly came unstuck, only winning a five goal thriller in the last 10 minutes.

As always at our level the team playing with the wind and slope tend to have the better of that half and so it proved again with St Thomas using both to their advantage to go one nil up before half time. A long clearance from the back was flicked on by their centre forward and Marc Buller applied the finish. But after the goal and in the run up to the break I think we got a foothold into the game and weren't too concerned, knowing we could score a few goals.

We came out in the second half and immediately put the visitors under pressure and got the all important equaliser five minutes later when a great run and shot from Stu Lester was fumbled into the path of Jon 'Dozza' Doman who poked home from close range. This gave us the confidence and we were all out attack from then on.

Within minutes of coming on, Dave Homer then broke clear down the left following some good passing and clipped one in off the far post to give us the lead and in truth we could have had another three or four I think.

But then we were gutted when with fifteen minutes left St Thomas broke clear and equalised; a gift of a goal really but well finished. Honestly I think last season we might have lost this at that point, but in the last ten minutes a great cross from Azza was met on the run by Homer who glanced a great header past the keeper to keep us on top of the league.

Although the gap looks good for us at the moment we are under no illusions that Clarendon, Halesowen Zion, St Mary's, King's are all closer than the gap suggests but we will take it for now and only ten more points to avoid relegation.

City Church 3 Sheldon 0

Martin Ogbourn says: Conditions were extremely difficult today at Row Heath with strong winds preventing much flowing football. It was one of those occasions when the elements ensured a significant advantage for one side in each half. However, City deservedly gained the three points with a determined and discplined display.

City were the better side in the first half and should have had more to show for their efforts. A deft finish from Stephen Bailey from a well directed free kick was the only reward as City found themselves 1-0 up at half time. Sheldon played their part in a reasonable, even tempered game considering the conditions, and had a few sporadic chances themselves.

During the second half both teams did their best to pass the ball, but City scored two well taken goals from David Louden in his first appearance of the season, and squandered other chances on the break. Sheldon's threat mainly came from set-plays with the strong winds behind them, but the City defence held out for their first clean sheet of the season with an excellent defensive display. Chris Chattaway was again superb in the City goal to repel everything that was thrown at him.

We look forward to our next game away v St Mary's with quiet confidence. The referee Martin Cook should be noted for a good, composed game.

Lyndon Fisher adds: On a blustery day, the wind making a mockery of any decent football being played. After 15 minutes our goalkeeper was injured and had to be replaced by our midfield player John Woodward who did a great job. That upset the balance of our team and we were on the back foot once again. They had the better of the first half scoring one goal with the wind behind them.

The second half was very different we put a lot of pressure on them without turning our advantage into goals; very frustrating. Our defence were quite solid with Nathan Atkins a rock at the back, but with us piling on the pressure we were caught on the break and conceded two late goals. I thought we were as good as City today. We are creating chances but not taking them, we must improve on this if we don't we all know what that means.

King's AFC 2 Wolverhampton and Perton Churches 1

Wolves and Perton drop to sixth place after a narrow defeat away at King's. King's are working their way back up the table after a poor start to the year but appear to be back on form with back-to-back wins in the league.

St Matthew's 3 St Boniface 4

Martin Nicholls reports: We feel a bit miffed getting nothing from a game we lead 1-0, 2-1, 3-2 and end up losing. This speaks volumes for the resiliance of our opposition today. We lacked a ruthless edge today and should really have pushed on to finish St Boniface off.

We were out of the blocks quickly when I headed home to give us the advantage. We were pegged back when the ref awarded a penalty for handball which was put away by St Boniface to bring the scores level. We didn't think it was a penalty. Chris Smith added a second when his deflected shot looped in, we were again pegged back after a period of slack play.

An excellent third was added by Ade Hunt cutting in from the left to give us a 3-2 lead with less than ten mins to go but then we allowed St Boniface to score twice to take the points.

If we are to push up the table we need to eliminate the same mistakes that cost us last year and gain a cutting edge!

Division Two

Rowley College 3 Champions Church 8

Shawn Devonport says: Today saw an intersting game on the small Lions Farm pitch with ourselves eager to prove a point after our mauling last week and Rowley eager to get off the mark against top of the table.

Rowley started the better knocking the ball around well and using the wind advantage well but didn't really create much and were made to pay when a Joe Smith ball made its way to Rion Mills to get his long awaited first of the season. It was soon 2-0 when Tim Bamber got his first ever goal in 25 games when he towered above anyone to convert a corner. Rowley then made it 2-1 when a corner caught the wind and went straight in but we restored the two goal lead when a lucky deflection off Joe Smith found its way to myself and after rounding the keeper it was 3-1. Rowley then had another good period of possesion and this time created a few chances especially off the dangerous long throw going very close with a header on one occasion. We made it 4-1 just before the break when the first of two Goal of the Season contenders went in when I turned my man and bent one in from 20 yards into the far corner. 4-1 half time, Rowley with more of the ball playing some good stuff and ourselves with the better chances.

Second half and we expected a Rowley backlash and got it, it was soon 4-2 when a communictaion error at the back allowed for a Rowley tap in and after not dealing with another ball a good move resulted in 4-3, a scuffle then emerged in the net as both teams went to retreive the ball and after the referee allowed all 22 players to continue Rowley's tails were up and we all of a sudden looked shaky. Rowley then had a good five minutes but once we rode that it was all one way traffic and we went 5-3 up when man of the match Joe Smith made it 5-3. Then within a minute it was 6-3 when a Jim Wilkes ball made its way to Josh Ball to poke it over the keeper. We allmost made it seven after a scramble that was cleared but then came the second goal of the season contender when Josh Ball blasted a volley into the top corner from 15 yards out following a cross from the left. It was then 8-3 when Rion played me in for the hat-trick. Josh was unlucky not to round off a fantastic second half performance when another great finish smashed against the post. We could have made it nine late on but another last ditch block kept it at 8-3.

All in all a good game and a pleasing three points after last week and after alllowing Rowley back to 4-3 we showed good character to maintain our 100% record when other teams keep taking points off each other. Rowley should keep there heads up they played the better football today but I think they just need that first win to kick on. It's Bournbrook next week and we need another big performance.

Pete Bennett adds: Hard to write about an 8-3 as if it was a competitive game but it certainly was today. For the second consecutive home game we scored three and got beat and here again much of the damage was self-inflicted. Shawn Devonport, who was very much the difference between the two sides today (and a regular scorer against us!) was kind enough after the game to admit that we had the better of the first half: the punchline though is the fact by then we were 4-1 down!

Now, notwithstanding that Champions know how to finish, our biggest problem was that defensively we were not at the races with individual errors for at least three of the first four making our task impossible. Even when we got back to 1-2 following debutant Nathan Hylton’s goal direct from a corner, we quickly threw away our foothold in the game. The changes at half time were significant and we had our best patch of the game with sub Alan Micklewright scoring two to leave Champions watching their backs at 3-4. Sadly however more mistakes cost us more goals and the game turned out to be a massive disappointment when it promised so much..

EK Corinthia 3 Selly Oak Methodist 2

Ron O'Neill says: Things aren't going as planned. Sometimes I wish the kick off time was 11:30 because sometimes that's when we turn up. EK dominated the first half with some nice attacking play. Their first came from a set peice finding Chris Morrison in the box about six yards out to turn and stab the ball into the far corner. Their second came from a corner, a similar crowd in the box and this time their player put it into the opposite corner with both myself and the man on the line unable to stop it. We did have our chances in the first half with Carl Jones leading the attack with Jamie Williams working hard in the midfield a bit of a Gerrard/Torres partnership (They wont thank me as I don't think either of them are Liverpool fans) but we were wasteful in front of goal and their keeper proved hard to beat. Half time score 2-0 EK.

The second half and we started to look like Selly Oak again with some great football at times but it was EK who scored next with the defence backing off Chris which gave him time to pick his spot curling the ball accross the face of the goal. We then stepped it up a bit (a bit late) and Carl Jones fresh from having three goals taken from him after Walsall folded, added to his tally making it seven in four from him. Our second came from a great finish from Laurence Belgrave; a superb effort from just outside the box into the roof of the net; were we going to nick it? We did have a few more chances to but it wasn't to be and we definately see this as three points wasted. EK were good for the win and showed they have what it takes to be in the promotion shake up but I can't help feel if we can hit our stride we'll get promoted guaranteed. Play like we did in the first half and it'l' be another season of disappointment. They say football is a game of two halves and we usually prove it. We have the players, not a weak link in the squad, we just now need the motivation.

Next week Birmingham International, a team we drew with in a pre-season friendly. If we can win all our other matches in October I'll stick my neck out and say we'll finish second; drop more points and we'll have a lot of work to do to catch the front runners.

Chris Morrison adds: EK came out on top but were certainly made to work for this win on what was an entertaining game. EK dominated the first half and a goal by chris Morrison (finally) gave EK a 1-0 lead. Some nice quick passing was causing Selly Oak some problems. then a set piece gave Tom Bird his first for the season and EK a second. Selly Oak however had many chances to score but had what seemed to be an off day infront of goal.

EK were pleased with the half time score and another goal from Chris Morrison thought we had it all wrapped up but Selly Oak had other plans. In tough conditions they seemed to step up three gears and got two goals back and piled on the pressure. EK managed to hold on and beat a good team who always are in the running for promotion.

Dynamo Kingswinford 1 Birmingham International 3

Inter move into third with a win at DK who started the season well but have been sinking ever since. Inter have turned it around after a defeat in their first match and have conceded the fewest in the division. They have some tough matches coming up in the next few weeks including an interesting Cup match against Amblecote.

Renewal Solihull 3 Chawn Hill Church 3

Brian Follows says: Renewal started well and went 2-0 up with two great strikes from distance by Joe Clarke. Chawn pulled a goal back with another fine strike from the edge of the box.

Second half Chawn started srongly and turned the game round to lead 3-2. When Chawn were awarded a penalty it looked all over for Renewal but the ball crashed off the post. With time running out Renewal were awarded a penalty themselves for a foul on Richard Allen. Up stepped Rowan O'Sullivan to level the match.

Paul Taylor adds: another point gained but Chawn come away from this game feeling it was two points lost. Yet again Chawn started poorly allowing Solihull to take a well earned 2-0 lead. It took a fine strike from Sooty to pull us back into contention. Half time 2-1

Encouraging words from the gaffa gave Chawn the incentive to go out and make a game of it!! Starting the stronger saw Chawn apply pressure to the Solihull back four which held steadfast until finally Daz found the back of the net. This fired Chawn up and set about taking full advantage and it took a wonder goal from 'little cook' Scott to fire Chawn into the lead.

Chawn had chances to further their lead and hit the woodwork numerous times through Super Kev, Hovis and Sooty. Unfortunately Chawn missed a penalty too which would of put the game to bed but deep, deep, deep, deep into Man Utd style seven minutes injury time Solihull where awarded a generous penalty which was calmly slotted home. (To be fair in the dressing room a Chawn player who will remain nameless admitted to catching the Solihull player in the area. But the dive and scream was a spectacular) Solihull will be the happy with the result as their late 'get out of jail card' earned them a point.

A really enjoyable game to watch which was unfortunately hindered slightly by the gail force wind which whipped across Lode Road. Solihull are a good passing team who have players who can win a game, numbers 8 and 11 stood out for them. Yet again workman like performances from Bedda, Super Kev and my man of the match Scott helped drive Chaun on to yet another thrilling game.

Chawn come away from this one a wounded animal and are looking forward to entertaining Rowley next Saturday but will be mindful that Rowley have a good team who have the potential of putting a spanner into Chawn's target of a top four finish.

Bournbrook Athletic 1 Lighthouse Lions 5

Another goal spree for Lighthouse but this time they fixed their leaky defence to give them a convincing win. The three points leaves Lighthouse poised in fourth place with nine points alongside EK and Inter and eases their goal-difference a little.

Ray Rose says: We continued our good form with a difficult game against Bournbrook Athletic. The conditions made a joke of good passing play but we seemed to adapt much quicker than Bournbrook.

On two minutes a shot from Adam Elcock was beaten away only to fall at the feet of Craig Marshall who scored a great goal from 30 yards. We continued to make chances but a good defence by Bournbrook frustrated us for a good while. Our midfield players were on top and were moving the ball around when James Doris found Adam Elcock who unfortunatley shot wide.

In the second half the conditions did not improve but on 49 minutes a corner taken by Carl Jones, found Adam Powell in the area who scored and made it 2-0 to us. Less than a minute later Bournbrook came back with a goal so now we were up 2-1. On 66 minutes a wonderful move from back to front found James Doris in a space and with a reverse ball played in to Adam Elcock, who now rarely misses, and sure enough we were 3-1 up. On 83 minutes Steve Gosling from just outside the area found the only place where a defender was not guarding the goal and scored a well taken fourth goal. Five minutes later our new player John Constable (three goals from four starts) found the ball and scored from 25 yards out our fifth goal.

Overall a very windy day, good defence from Bournbrook, but our midfield played a game and a half and we came out on top.

Division Three

DC Dynamos 4 St John's 1

Mark Crouch says: After gifting Common Ground a point last week it was up to DC to get back on track. And did we ever? We went behind to a penalty that was the correct decision as regardless of the ball being taken the player had tackled from behind. This did nothing but galvanise DC and we were soon level as Chris Gee scored his first of two taking the well and slotting home.

Soon it was 2-1 as DC passed the ball round beautifully at times. Dean Cole flicked the ball onto Chris Gee who got his second taking the ball well, beating the man with some great ball control and firing home. This was nothing more than DC deserved as they had restricted St John's to only the penalty with no other clear cut chances. Steve Burford was his usuall man mountain self, winning everything in the air as did Adam Doupe in midfield. Our midfield controlled the game today. Dave Rich setting the tempo with some sublime touches.

The second half was the same again DC starting the brighter and within ten minutes we were 3-1 up as Clint Dudson cut in from the right after using the space on the right wing well and hit a shot that took a slight deflection and in. With fifteen minutes left, James Cole capped a superb display today with a wonderful solo effort picking the ball up from the half way line going on a mazey run and hitting a fierce strike from outside the eighteen yard box leaving the keeper with no chance. A brilliant strike from the man of the match.

St John's hit the woodwork but it was always going to be a DC day today because when we kept the ball on the ground today most teams would have found us hard to beat.

Sandwell United 2 Junction Ten Village 4

A depleted J10 were made to work for their win against a gutsy Sandwell. But J10 come away with the points and retain their 100% record so far. Sadly, Sandwell were condemned to their fifth straight win of the year.

Brierley Hill AOG 3 Common Ground United 2

Brierley Hill's Jon Bennett says: A good game today played between two honest and hard working teams. As the game started Brierley Hill pushed forward looking for an early goal, but it was Common Ground who struck first as the skilful David Walker found a yard of space and nestled a shot into the corner of the goal.

The Hill are developing a fighting spirit and we were immediately back onto the attack putting pressure onto their defence, Neil A Walters having a goal disallowed and firing a free kick towards the top corner which produced a fantastic save from their keeper. A goal finally came after a massive kick from Matt 'Cherry' Welch bounced towards their penalty area and Josh Owen pounced to coolly lob the ball over the onrushing keeper.

Two changes were made at half time with immediate impact as our new striker Mike showed great feet to find a yard of space and to place the ball into the net from the edge of the area. Common Ground then began to show some good skill and really pressed for an equaliser. A cross came in from the right and the striker managed to get in front of the defender to header the ball past Matt Welch. As Common Ground continued to press Ian Pilkington was magnificent at the back, winning every single ball first which didnt allow any sustained pressure.

Brierley Hill began pushing forward again and good skill again from Mike produced a searching cross which Chris Jones pounced on to find the net and what proved to be the winner for Brierley Hill. Common Ground weren't finished and looked for an equaliser, Dan Spear was fantastic at right back cutting out many through balls, as Brierley Hill managed to hold on for a deserved three points.

A great second win of the season for the Hill who are still enjoying their football and playing with smiles on our faces, the only difference this year is that we are developing a winning mentality, had it been last year when we conceded a equaliser we probably would have lost, however this year things are slightly different.

All credit to Common Ground who will prove to be a welcome addition to the league, they have some excellent players and play the game in the right spirit, I'm sure they will have a good first season.

Living Hope Church 1 Rockmount United 1

Steve Farley reports: In very blustery conditions, Living Hope started with the wind behind them and quickly took the lead after striker Nathan Brain robbed the ball from the Rockmount right back and smashed the ball into the net from 20 yards out. Three minutes later he nearly did it again, this time with a thirty yard blast that looked to be going in before curling just wide of the top right corner. In the 15th minute centre back Kyle Smith, playing in his first competitive game for Living Hope found himself dribbling the ball into the opponents half before slotting a neat through ball for Nathan Brain to run on to but his 20 yard shot was just over the bar. In the 19th minute Lee Smith showed good pace down the right to beat his marker but unfortunately his angled shot was just wide of the near post. Rockmount responded well with a couple of good breaks but both times they shot wide. Apart from that Rockmount were limited to a series of hopeful long range shots that never troubled our goalkeeper. So, at 1-0 at half time we knew we would have a difficult time in the second half playing against a very strong wind.

And so it proved. Rockmount forced a series of corners following an acrobatic clearance off the line from Kyle Smith. Rockmount nearly scored direct from the second corner but goalkeeper James Farley managed to neatly tip the ball over the bar. From the third corner there were appeals from the Living Hope Defence for hand ball but the referee deemed to play on. From the ensuing goalmouth scramble Rockmount forced the ball over the line for the equaliser. Living Hope were now straining under the pressure and just one minute later, our third new boy - substitute Cailin Rezmuves slid in to clear the ball from the toe of a Rockmount striker who was looking certain to score. In the 56th minute Goalkeeper James Farley made his best save of the game and just managed to collect the rebound before a Rockmount striker followed up. In the 63rd minute Nathan Brain managed to break free of his marker but from a narrow angle his low hard shot flew across the face of the goal. Living Hope seemed to settle down for the remaining half hour of the game and in the end our defence seemed to be in control of everything Rockmount could throw at us. If anything I thought we were the most likely to score but strikers Nathan Brain and Lee Smith managed to link up well on several occasions without troubling the keeper. Overall I think a draw was a fair result even if we were disappointed not to win.

Finally, one unusual statistic. James Farley in goal was our ninth keeper in nine games since we played our first friendly way back in June. We just can't seem to find anybody who can play two games in a row. Can anybody out there beat that?

Zion City 0 Sporting Zion 5

A neat 5-0 win away at fellow mid table team Zion City sees Sporting move into the top half of the table. Sporting's form has been mixed so far this year but a hat-trick from Sam Cooper saw his team on their way to a convincing win.

Pye Green Towers 3 All Nations 2

David Spencer says: This morning was a battle for pride. I was very aware that All Nations were as desperate to win as we were.

Early play allowed both sides to have chances but All Nations seemed to keep hitting wide and we seemed to keep hitting it at the goalie. (I must note that our goalie nearly scored his first goal in this time) I was beginning to think how boring a 0-0 finish would sound until All Nations broke through the defence and knocked one across our goalie; there were calls for offside but our linesman was overruled. Keen not to get ourselves down Pye Green fought back and eventually it was Dave Blakesley who converted a corner with an excellently placed header. HT 1-1.

Second half was understandably scrappy, and any onlooker could have thought they were watching a cup final, All Nations went for the win or nothing playing with a three man defence. We found ourselves totally bombarded by a team who felt they just had to win. All credit to Jason Sarginson who pulled off the best save I’ve seen from him since we started. However all of this left us with two injuries and then to top it off we had a dismissal leaving us with just 10 men. At this point our cockiest player Dave Wright scored what was the cockiest goal of the game by some how just hitting it towards the goal through what seemed like eight players, and some how it went in.

We were happy at 2-1 up but still tried to seal the deal with another but it was a desperate scuffle in our own box that allowed All Nations to equalise with just six minutes to play, shortly after this we managed to drop to nine men. I was devastated, and it was at this point I fell to my knees and prayed (I’m not sure if the rule book allows unfair divine intervention) and it worked. With just ten seconds left a clearance landed perfectly to our captain and striker Gaz Darby who once again showed why he is our top finisher. Playing with a three man defence was always going to be risky and fortunately we took advantage of it. We have played about 25 games and conceded what must be over 150 goals since we started in February – and it was all worth it for the feeling at the end of the match today.

My thanks go to All Nations who gave us a heart felt battle this morning for what was a huge game for both of us. Luck played its part as did composure, but for once things went a little bit our way. FT 3-2.

Halesowen Zion v St Mary's

Sadly, today's match was abandoned due to a severe injury to Josh Blunt. I understand that Josh fell over and broke his arm. Due to the severity of the injury, Josh could not be moved and lay prone on the pitch whilst he waited for the paramedics to arrive. By the time he had been treated and moved from the pitch, forty minutes had passed and the referee quite rightly abandoned the match.

Josh has been a major part of St Mary's success over the past few years and he will be missed by his club during his rehabilitation. On behalf of WMCFL, I would like to wish him well and a speedy recovery.

Saturday Preview

Birmingham County Football Association Saturday Junior Cup

Clarendon are the sole entrants to the BCFA Cup this season. The Saturday Junior Cup was first competed for in the 1887-88 season, making it one of the oldest football competitions in the world! I've had a quick flick through the internet and I could not find a football league that was formed before this date and the ones I did find were started by English immigrants.

Good luck to Clarendon. It would a marvellous feat to get a WMCFL name on that Cup.

Division One

High-fliers Amblecote are visited by a struggling St Thomas team this Saturday. St Thomas badly need to get off the mark this week-end or face falling into a spiral of doom. Twelve months ago they were beating Clarendon 3-1 and will perhaps reflect on their 1-0 win in the corresponding fixture last season. Whilst Amblecote are top, they've not doled out a pounding yet scoring a maximum of three goals in their games so far. You'd expect them to win this one based on current form.

St Mary's face a stern test as they travel to third-placed Halesowen Zion. Saints are in blistering form so far this season with a plus twenty goal difference after just three matches, whereas Halesowen appear to have a leaky defence conceding two goals a game. It's a match that Halesowen will need to win if they are to mount a title challenge. You cannot bet against St Mary's at the moment but it's not the easiest fixture on the calendar.

Wolves and Perton's form has been quite good so far, losing just one to Clarendon and that by just two goals. King's started badly but are back on the island after beating St Thomas last week. A tough one to call, perhaps you'd fancy Wolves if they were at home but they aren't.

City's record looks very square so far, with won one, drawn one, lost one; scored seven, conceded seven. They play Sheldon on Saturday, a team that is struggling for consistency mainly due to not being able to put out the same eleven every week, a common malaise at this level. I did think that City would break into the top zone this year but have undergone some personnel changes and are perhaps taking a few weeks to settle. I still think City will win.

St Boniface are another team that I thought would do better than they have. Despite their travails, they have scored more than all but the top five sides. St Matthew's will be no push-overs this week though; maybe St Boniface will get off the mark with a draw?

Division Two

Champions resume their assault on Division Two and attempt to extend their unbeaten run to twenty-two matches against bottom club Rowley College. You can't bet against Champions but nothing is certain in football and after their mauling last week, who knows?

EK are back up to second place after Selly Oak had their result against Walsall 'expunged' from the records. Selly Oak will be keen to put that experience behind them and look in good form after beating DK 6-1 last week. EK need to jump back on the waggon if they are to keep at the head of the chasing pack. They are the division's top scorers, so they are headed in the right direction in that department at least.

Dynamo are the other side to have points taken off them after Walsall's pull-out. They've slipped right down the table into the relegation zone, so will want to put that right straight away. They come up against Inter, one of the clubs on six points. After losing their opening rubber against Solihull, Inter's results have good their way, so Dynamo will have their work cut out.

Another mid-table match will take place as Lighthouse visit Bournbrook. It's very tight in the Division Two table, so on Saturday Lighthouse have the chance to stretch things out a bit if they win.

Chawn have the chance to leap-frog Solihull on Saturday when they travel east for their game; it's another mid-table game.

Ed's Predictions

I've been gradually writing my predictions over the past few weeks, taking note of what player changes I've heard about and factoring friendly results. I managed to finish them last week and was ready to publish and then we had a raft of friendly results and the Kevin Kovacs trophy.

I'll be honest, I thought St Mary's were going to be turned over by Clarendon yesterday. I thought City would start with a bang but have not turned in any results (that I know of) pre-season. I thought Dynamo would struggle this year, basing my rationale on their lack of goals; then I hear Chris Sweetmore is back and Neil Hambly played for them yesterday.

EK seemed to be getting pounded pre-seaon, then they beat Division One ZIon Athletic, albeit narrowly yesterday. I hear that St John's were heavily beaten yesterday too. So, most of what I have written appears to have been blown out of the water. I was going to revamp the lot, then I thought 'forget it, I'll put the page up anyway'.

So, by popular appeal, you can click here to read how I think everyone's going to do.

Ed's Pre-Season Predictions 2009/10