Merry Christmas

HALF-TERM REPORT

With the adverse weather conditions continuing to have a impact on sporting events throughout the country, the Worcester & District Football League is already facing the probability of an extension to the season to enable fixtures to be fully completed. Last season’s matches were eventually completed by 23 May and a similar scenario faces the League in 2011.

The League’s Sunday Premier Division is again showing its strength in depth with five of its clubs reaching the quarter-finals of the WFA Sunday Premier Cup. Last season AFC Heenans beat Callow End in the final but these two clubs have already been knocked out this year. Martley Spurs, Perrywood, Arrow 2000, Crowle and Upton Snodsbury have all reached the last eight with Crowle and Upton Snodsbury drawn against each other. VBL Sports and either AFC Mazak or Hallow Village will be flying the flag for the League in the Sunday Junior Cup with New Inn Sports, Inter Express and Malvern Rangers Colts all having reached the fourth round of the Sunday Minor Cup. Powick, last year’s beaten finalists in the Saturday Minor Cup have reached this season’s semi-finals where they will play Badsey Rangers.

In the Sunday Premier Division five teams are in contention with AFC Heenans probably favourites at the half way stage. Enjoying their first season after a switch from the Evesham League, Crowle look a good outside bet to lift the title. At the foot of the table, Callow End and CMB Sports are still seeking their first victories.

Under the guidance of wily old fox Conrad Hemmings, Coppertops Athletic are emerging as the team to beat in Division One with the youngsters of Hallow Village and old campaigners New AFC Barbourne also showing up well. HDNL Sports and Martley Spurs Reserves are looking the favourites for relegation on results so far.

There would appear to be a three horse race for the Division 2 title with KGV Worcester in pole position in their first season in the League. AA Chequers have been banging the goals in but they still have to play KGV and also VBL Sports who boast the twin goal scoring threat of Gordie Beauchamp and George Martin. Wessie, AFC Claines and Droitwich RBL are all struggling to get away from the foot of the table at the moment.

Inter Express are flying at the top of Division 3 and hold the only remaining 100% record in the League with eight consecutive victories. Nunnery Wood Colts A, Brunswick and AFC Brewers are currently vying for the second promotion place. It’s a different story at the other end of the table where Arrow 2000 Reserves have lost all eight of their matches to date.

It’s tight at the top in Division 4 with no less than six teams chasing the promotion slots. It’s particularly pleasing to see two ex youth teams, Worcester Lynx and Malvern Rangers Colts

in the top four in their first season in senior football. At the other end of the table, Berwick are looking up at the rest of the League having lost all six of their matches so far.

Last season the Saturday Division was hanging by a thread with only nine teams competing. With the Management Committee waving League fees to encourage higher participation, fourteen clubs are taking part this year and it’s particularly pleasing to see four under eighteen sides taking their place. Whilst YM Rangers and Worcester Anchors are yet to find their feet in senior football, Worcester Raiders and Newtown Sports have taken the eye with some impressive performances. At the moment though, it’s last year’s champions Powick and runners-up VBL Sports who again fill the top two places with unbeaten Hallow hot on their heels.