The last Midland Premier League weekend preview of the season is written by the League's press officer Gary Hazelhurst.
Premier Division:
On Thursday evening, there are three fixtures in the Premier Division. 2nd placed Alvechurch are at home to Long Eaton United as they close in on 100 points and 100 goals. Shepshed Dynamo will guarantee themselves fourth place should they beat Rocester at The Dovecote Stadium. Bardon Hill face their third game in four days as they host Boldmere St Michaels.
With all of the promotion and relegation issues decided, there’s a chance for everyone to enjoy some splendid games and to celebrate a close run battle in the Premier Division. Champions Hereford will be wanting to leave the MFL on a high as they travel to 4th placed Shepshed Dynamo – a fitting finale to the season. Runners up Alvechurch still have 3 games to play and they travel to Pack Meadow to face free-scoring 5th placed Coleshill Town. 3rd placed Sporting Khalsa have had a superb first season at Step 5 and they welcome Loughborough University to the Aspray Arena.
Heanor Town are another side that can be satisfied with their first season in the MFL and they welcome Long Eaton United to The Town Ground. Lye Town have had a good finish to the season and their final game is at home to relegated Dunkirk. Continental Star bid farewell to the Premier Division with a short trip to Walsall Wood, who have had another steady season. Coventry Sphinx looked to be heading for relegation but a turnaround in their fortunes means that they will in the Premier Division next season. They celebrate their safety with a trip to AFC Wulfrunians.
Bardon Hill have had a difficult season with pitch issues meaning they didn’t play at home for three months. A glut of fixtures near the end of the season has caught up with them and relegation was confirmed in midweek. They travel to Highgate United for their 4th game of a tough week. Boldmere St Michaels play their last home game on grass with a new 3G pitch being laid before the start of next season with Stourport Swifts the visitors. Rocester look likely to finish in the top half of the table as they travel to Westfields. Two sides that have been involved in the battle in the league’s lower reaches are Brocton and Quorn and they meet at Silkmore Lane.