Coventry and District Church Football League

Good day to all. Many apologies firstly for the lack of an update in January- combination of holidays, nappy changing and postponed matches led respectively to a lack of time and a lack of a great deal to write about. Anyway….

Let’s start in Division 1. The Christmas pace setters, Sporting Club Myton remain undefeated but have started to find out how tough it can be at the top. Following an 8-0 demolition of last season’s nemesis for them, Hinckley Dare, they were hauled back to reality with a 1-1 draw at Meredith Road. They must have thought that draw was fully behind them when they headed in at half-time on Saturday, 4-0 to the good against Lowfors. However Lowfors managed one of the League’s most impressive comebacks in recent memory with a stirring four goals in the second half to level the match at 4-4. Whether it was Lowfors’ “Kevin Keegan” style philosophy or Sporting Myton being reduced to 10 men by injury we’ll never know. A great fight back nonetheless.

Whilst Sporting Myton wobbled, ARYPT1 took full advantage. Having started in early January with a 4-0 victory against Hinckley Dare, they notched up an impressive win (1-3) away at Lowfors- a tricky match in anyone’s book. However it was their 4-1 win away at Binley that really caught the eye. They really are the team now to beat in this division.

At the other end of the table, whilst Hinckley Dare are sadly looking at an early return to Division 2, Affinity are really building up a head of steam in their fight to stave off relegation. Cathedral, Lowfors and Meredith are all looking over their shoulders at a resurgent Affinity. In their defences, Cathedral do have a lot of games in hand; Meredith had a great win (8-0) at the weekend against Hinckley Dare; and you’ve already heard about the Great Lowfors Fightback. There’s much excitement for the neutral in the weeks ahead.

Incidentally we all wish Matthew Plant of Cathedral a speedy recovery. He broke his leg against Binley on 26th January in a game that Cathedral were leading at time, which was subsequently abandoned. A reminder, if there ever was one, that this can be a tough physical game.

In Division 2, the race for the top flight has warmed up considerably. At one time, it looked like Hinckley Baptist were going to stroll it. However under the calm management of Neal Saunders, Coventry Saints have shown that they are indeed a force to be reckoned with. Just before Christmas they knocked five past Hinckley Baptist, with only one in reply. Their impressive form continued with victories against Holy Trinity (2-1) and an impressive 4-0 win away at promotion chasing St John’s.

St John’s themselves have played two games more than Hinckley Baptist, who still look favourite to clinch a top two spot. Don’t rule out the challenge however of New Horizons, QRBC and ARYPT2 who are all packed in tightly in mid-table.

There’s now a gap of three week to allow some of the postponed games to be replayed. Don’t forget to let us know at results@covchurchfootball.co.uk when your game is rearranged to and what the score was. There are hundreds hanging on your information…