The travels of the Press Officer
Saturday 8th August
Walsall Wood 1 Bardon Hill Sports 1
The opening league game of the season for newcomers Bardon Hill ended in honours even after a 1-1 draw with Walsall Wood. The Wood started the better and took the lead in the 7th minute with a super volley from Drew Aiton. Excellent goalkeeping from josh O’Brien kept the score at 1-0 into the break. Bardon hill were much improved after the break and grabbed a deserved equaliser through Richard Hanslow. Both goalkeepers were in fine form which augurs well for the season. Best moment in the game came from the Bardon hill bench. Frustrated at a perceived lack of defensive communication, the question was asked “Do you want a mobile so that you can text each other?” Classic
Monday 10th August
Coventry Sphinx 2 Quorn 0
A glorious summer’s evening in Coventry as Quorn visited Sphinx Drive. After opening day defeats both sides wanted that first win and it was the home side that took the spoils with a comfortable 2-0 win. Ash Jackson curled a superb free-kick for the opener in the 9th minute but it took until the 57th for Mitch Piggon to settle things. Quorn had their chance but the finishing was well short of what was required on the night.

Tuesday 11th August
Stourport Swifts 2 Hereford FC 0
A chance to take in Hereford’s first away game in the MFL. Parking on the Riverside car park, I wandered into Stourport and it was heaving with shirted Bulls supporters. The fish and chips seemed to be going down well as was the liquid refreshment in any number of Stourport hostelries. Inside the ground, there was a carnival atmosphere with added catering, beer tents etc – Stourport put on an excellent show. The vast majority of the 1321 crowd were to go home unhappy as Swifts came out on top with a 2-0 victory. Ben Maund got the opener from the penalty spot, Nathan Summers being red carded for a professional foul. The 10 men pushed forward but Dominic Richards in goal for Stourport was in blistering form. Joe Phillips ensured the victory with a solo goal in the 83rd minute but football and the MFL was the real winner on the evening.
Wednesday 12th August
Continental Star 1 Alvechurch 2
Both sides suffered disappointing home defeats on the opening day. Alvechurch, fancied by many to win the title this year, took the lead in the 6th minute, Leigh Downing supplying an excellent finish. There was some controversy surrounding the goal, the linesman raising a flag, lowering a flag, and then not being consulted by the referee. No idea what that was about! Alvechurch doubled their lead after half an hour when Jordan McIntosh headed into his own net. The visitors had all of the play but conceded a penalty with 20 minutes left – James Reid hammering home the spot kick. Things looked nervy for the visitors but they held on for a valuable three points

Week review
What a start with 7 clubs making a perfect start. Top of the pile are Lye Town with two thumping away wins and 9 goals in the bank. Close on their heels are Long Eaton United, no goals conceded and 5 different scorers. AFC Wulfrunians followed up their excellent win at Alvechurch with a narrow win over Brocton in midweek. Highgate United, Stourport Swifts, Shepshed Dynamo and Heanor Town are also 6 out of 6 with plenty of goals being scored. New boys Sporting Khalsa started with a bang, bagging 5 goals against Coleshill Town but slipped up in midweek at Dunkirk, who bounced back from an opening defeat in front of 4.060 at Hereford. 6 sides are looking for their first points of the season. Loughborough University prop up the table on goal difference conceding 6 and not scoring while Brocton are also on -6 but did at least score at Castlecroft. Quorn, Rocester, Continental Star and Boldmere St Michaels will be hoping to get their season’s under way next weekend.

Preview
One solitary Premier Division game with Highgate United entertaining Hereford FC. Highgate have started well on their return to the top flight and will be looking to take an early lead at the top of the table. The Bulls will want to bounce back from their midweek defeat at Stourport and could join the frontrunners with a victory.

On Friday Coleshill Town have a home tie against Ellesmere Rangers at Tamworth FC in the FA Cup. Coleshill should be expected to progress against an Ellesmere side that has won one lost one in the league this season. Premier Division meets Division 1 at Alvechurch as the Churchmen face Heath Hayes, who made a good start to the season. Three all Premier Division ties sees Bardon Hill at home to Dunkirk, Brocton at home to Stourport Swifts and Boldmere St Michaels at home to Rocester. Big game at St John’s Park with Hinckley AFC’s first FA Cup tie at home to Premier Division Walsall Wood. Heanor Town travel to former MFL side Kirby Muxloe while in form Long Eaton United will be expected to beat Harrowby Town. Loughborough University have a third successive home game entertaining Barrow Town. Lye Town versus Coventry Sphinx has been moved to Bromsgrove Sporting and could be a cracking cup tie. Sporting Khalsa travel to West Midlands Malvern town who have lost their two opening games of the season. Quorn will want to get their season started at home to Oadby Town. Shepshed Dynamo should be too strong for Retford United at The Dovecote while Southam United will fancy a giant killing at home to AFC Wulfrunians. There is a Herefordshire derby at Allpay Park as Westfields take on Pegasus Juniors. Bromsgrove Sporting have a tricky looking tie away at Gornal Athletic while Cadbury Athletic will be optimistic when they take on a troubled Tipton Town at Tipton Sports Academy. On Sunday. Continental Star will expect to get past Division 1 Bolehall Swifts at Dales Lane. Both sides are pointless after two league games but home advantage could make the difference