2022/23 Premier Division Central Preview

Saturday marks the start of the 2022/23 Pitching In Southern Football League season, with a full fixture list in both the Premier Division Central and Premier Division South as well as Emirates FA Cup ties for a number of clubs in the Division One Central and Division One South.

Banbury United ran away with the title last season and had `winners` written all over them from quite an early stage.

And with the outstanding Peterborough Sports also being promoted, this season looks like being a much tighter affair.

Coalville Town, Rushall Olympic and Alvechurch finished in the other play-off places in 2021/22 and will expect to be up there challenging again this term.

Adam Stevens` Coalville have made some decent signings, especially experienced keeper Paul White and forward Ashley Chambers, who helped Buxton to win the Northern Premier League title last season.

New Signings

Ashley Chambers - Buxton
Tendai Chitiza – Stamford AFC
Andi Thanoj – Boston United
Paul White – Peterborough Sports
George Wilson - Ljungskile SK (Sweden)

Liam McDonald has also brought in a new keeper at Rushall in Jake Weaver from Vanarama National League North side Leamington.

Like Stevens, McDonald has largely kept faith with last season’s squad but has also been one of the busier bosses in adding strength in depth.

Ironically, Rushall Olympic and Coalville meet on the opening day at Dales Lane!

New Signings

Johno Atherton – Chasetown
Jayden Campbell - Walsall
Sam Moore – Loughborough Dynamo
Jake Weaver - Leamington
Alex Cameron – Redditch United
Alex Fletcher – Stafford Rangers
Keith Lowe – Kidderminster Harriers
Sam Mantom – Hemel Hempstead Town
Sam Moore – Corby Town
Will Shorrock – Bromsgrove Sporting
Andy Wycherley – Nantwich Town

Did Alvechurch over-achieve in 2021/22? They sneaked into the top five on goal difference but since the return of Ian Long as manager, they have been very consistent.

And although he has lost one or two, he has maintained a steady squad and has added the talented Leo Brown, who was an emerging prospect at Birmingham City a few season back until he suffered a serious injury whilst on international duty with Northern Ireland’s under-18s.

It’s a Lye Meadow derby against neighbours Stourbridge on the opening day for `Church.

New Signings

Jed Abbey – AFC Telford United
Leo Brown – Sutton Coldfield Town
Tom Edge – Leek Town
Manny Olaloko – Leamington
Jack Sang – Leamington

AFC Rushden & Diamonds were the team pipped by Alvechurch in the end and had to make do with sixth spot.

It’s the start of a new era at Hayden Road as Andy Burgess begins his first full season in charge after taking over from the long-serving Andy Peaks at the end of February.

There’s been plenty of change over the summer with a number of players leaving, leading to some indifferent pre-season results and performances and a few anxious faces amongst Diamonds` supporters!

Several of Burgess` new recruits are unknowns, although he will be pleased to have the experienced Nathan Hicks back.

Diamonds face a tricky test against Needham Market at Hayden Road on Saturday.

New Signings

Jenson Cooper – Shrewsbury Town
Evangelos-Nikalaos Empochontsif - Canvey Island
Matthew Lars Fossen - FC Linköping City (Sweden)
Nathan Hicks – St Ives Town
Courtney Lashley – Northampton Town
Tyrese Sutherland – London Tigers

There are three clubs who have been switched from the Northern Premier League by the FA in the summer and all three could be dangerous opponents for the established teams.

John McGrath’s Mickleover look to be the biggest threat after finishing 12th in the NPL Premier Division last season.

Sports have built a reputation for producing good young players in recent years and McGrath, who played over 250 times for Burton Albion, has made some decent summer signings, most especially experienced midfielder Marcus Marshall.

Mickleover are on their travels on the opening day as they trip down the M1 to the Orbital Fasteners Stadium to take on Kings Langley.

New Signings

Callum Chettle – Basford United
Marcus Marshall – AFC Telford United
Elliott Reeves – Alfreton Town
Ryan Wilson – Basford United

Basford United only just avoided relegation last season, ending up third-from-bottom and just two points better off than surprise relegation candidates, Witton Albion.

The Nottinghamshire outfit had a change of manager in January with former Nottingham Forest defender Steve Chettle stepping down and being replaced by former Ilkeston Town owner Mark Clifford.

Judging from Clifford’s summer recruitment drive, he seems determined not to struggle this coming season, and although pre-season results have been mixed, will be looking for goals from the likes of Anthony Dwyer and steadiness at the back from the signing of Brad McGowan, who helped Peterborough Sports to win the play-offs last season.

Basford face a tough start with a trip to Garden Walk to face Royston Town – never an easy place to get anything from.

New Signings

Josh Barnes – Nottingham Forest
Riece Bertram – Belper Town
Adam Chapman – Ilkeston Town

Anthony Dwyer – Nuneaton Borough
Harvey Grice – Alfreton Town
Stern Irvine – Ilkeston Town
Brad McGowan – Peterborough Sports
Tyreace Palmer – Notts County
Gregg Smith – Spalding United
Ben Starkie – Spalding United

Ilkeston Town won the NPL Division One Midlands title last season by a three-point margin over another former Southern League side, Stamford AFC.

The Robins were beaten only five times in the league and will be looking to take that winning momentum into the Premier Division Central.

Ilkeston are not new to the Southern League, having been switched at the end of 2003/04 after ten seasons in Division One West and Premier.

Managed by former Stoke City, Peterborough United, Southend United and Scunthorpe United forward Martin Carruthers, who took over in November 2019, Ilkeston could well be dark horses for at least a play-off spot having recruited well in the summer, including bringing in ex-Derby County and Northern Ireland star Jamie Ward, who helped Buxton to win promotion from the NPL.

The bookies certainly fancy Ilkeston’s chances, making them 5/2 favourites for the title!

But a stern test of their credentials awaits on the opening day as they travel to fancied Tamworth!

New Signings

Tomasz Bukowski – Coalville Town
Saul Deeney – Coalville Town
Chris O’Grady – Bolton Wanderers
Ben O’Hanlon – Stourbridge
Kalern Thomas – Coalville Town
Ben Turner – Buxton
Jamie Ward – Buxton
Marshall Willock – Stamford AFC

Much will be expected from Bedford Town after their runaway success in winning the Division One Central title last season by a ten-point margin.

Manager Gary Setchell has lost one of last season’s leading marksmen Rene Howe but has managed to keep hold with the majority of the rest of the championship-winning squad.

Setchell will be hoping that Liam Brooks` arrival from former league rivals Berkhamsted can help fill the void left by Howe’s departure, while he also has high hopes for another striker in 21-year-old Tyrone Lewthwaite, who notched 5 goals in 12 games for Aylesbury United after joining in February.

The Eagles travel to the Arden Garages Stadium to play Stratford Town on Saturday.

New Signings

Liam Brooks – Berkhamsted
Jack Keeble – Wisbech Town
Tyrone Lewthwaite – Aylesbury United
Matt Maloney – Luton Town
Luke Pennell – Braintree Town
Kai Phelan – Barton Rovers
Sam Warburton – AFC Rushden & Diamonds

Tamworth finished the 2021/22 campaign as one of the form teams in the division.

They did remarkably well after Andy Peaks left the security of his long-standing spot at AFC Rushden & Diamonds for a Lambs side who were in the relegation places when he arrived in February.

They finished a very creditable tenth and will begin the new season as second favourites for the title at 9/2 behind Ilkeston.

One of Peaks` long-term favourites, Liam Dolman, has joined two other ex-Diamonds players in Luke Fairlamb and Alex Collard at The Lamb and the squad looks considerably stronger this season – and who would argue with a bookmaker!

New Signings

Alex Bradley – Yeovil Town
George Cater – Hednesford Town
Alex Collard – AFC Rushden & Diamonds
Matt Curley – Buxton
Liam Dolman – AFC Rushden & Diamonds
Luke Fairlamb – St Ives Town
Kyle Finn – Halesowen Town
Ben Milnes – Buxton

Hednesford Town are again tipped to do well and although the Pitmen finished ninth last season, they never really threatened to break into the top five.

Manager Keenen Meakin-Richards, who took over in November 2020, will be expected to push Hednesford forward this season and has kept the majority of his squad together, with highly rated young midfielder Luke Rowe being an impressive new signing.

Hednesford Town

Taylor Carter-Byrne – Coleshill Town
Joe Cuff – Stafford Rangers
Lewis Gwilliams – Belper Town
Harry Manton – Birmingham City
Adam Marusiak – Bromsgrove Sporting
Luke Rowe – Redditch United
Sam Wilding - Sunderland

The Pitmen start at Keys Park against Redditch United on Saturday.

And Matt Clarke’s team have enjoyed an excellent pre-season after having a much more comfortable 2021/22 campaign.
Redditch have been busy bolstering their forward line with the signings of Reece Flanagan, Bernard Mensah and Ryan Nesbitt, following the departure of striker Dan Sweeney to Bromsgrove Sporting.

Redditch scored the second-fewest goals in the division last season, so they will hope for more firepower to push up the league.

New Signings

Reece Flanagan – Hednesford Town
Daniel Gyasi – Stourbridge
Dylan Hart – Bewdley Town
Bernard Mensah – Gloucester City
Cam Moore – Loughborough Students
Ryan Nesbitt – Alvechurch
Yan Osadchyi - Alians Lypova Dolyna (Ukraine)

Redditch’s neighbours Stourbridge finished mid-table last term, but their loyal supporters will be hoping for a much more sustained promotion challenge this time around.

The Glassboys are 12/1 and fifth favourites for promotion with the bookies and some decent signings by joint bosses Stuart Pierpoint and Leon Broadhurst should see them challenge, with experienced Callum Gittings and the pacey Rackeem Reid being the outstanding new arrivals.

New Signings

Callum Gittings – Leamington
Joel Kettle – Bromsgrove Sporting
Chris Knight – AFC Wulfrunians
Alex Moore – Rushall Olympic
Rackeem Reid – Rushall Olympic

Steve Castle’s Royston Town are seen to be regularly punching above their weight, which is a great tribute to his managerial skills and a well-run club.

The Crows finished eighth last term and threatened the top five at times and with some good summer acquisitions, especially Nathan Tshikuna being prized away from league rivals AFC Rushden & Diamonds, and the retention of key men such as striker Matt Bateman, it would be hard not to see Royston as being play-off contenders at least.

New Signings

Max Bustamante Macaire – Bedford Town
George Ironton – Welwyn Garden City
Jarid Robson – Cambridge City
Jay Rolfe – Welwyn Garden City
Nathan Tshikuna – AFC Rushden & Diamonds

Nuneaton Borough are one of those clubs who one would expect to be featuring at the top end of the table, given their history and support.

However, although they finished well clear of the relegation places in the end, boss Jimmy Ginnelly can’t have been happy with finishing 16th.

And that has been reflected in a wholesale clear out of players this summer and a plethora of new signings heading into Liberty Way.

It’s in attack where Boro look to have improved their squad with the arrival of Matty Stenson and the return of Tyrell Waite.

Could this be Nuneaton’s year? The bookie certainly don’t think so!

New Signings

Ryan Beswick – Tamworth
Liam Castle – Barwell (Player-Coach)
Jaden Charles – Mansfield Town
Ravarnelle James – Basford United
Chris Lait – Halesowen Town
Prince Mancinelli – Belper Town
Cain Noble – Shepshed Dynamo
Kane Richards – Basford United
Matty Stenson – FC Halifax Town
Tyrell Waite – Coalville Town

Nuneaton start 2022/23 with a trip to the east coast to play a Leiston side who really did surprise many in finishing seventh last season, just 5 points off a play-off place.

Joint bosses Chris Wigger and former Norwich City star Darren Eadie have done a terrific job since taking over in March 2020.

Using mostly young players, the Suffolk side prospered whilst their close neighbours and supposed `bigger` club, Lowestoft Town, suffered relegation.

The Jarvis brothers have re-united at Victory Road this summer but otherwise Wigger and Eadie have again gone for untried talent at this level.

New Signings

Zach Dronfield – Hampton & Richmond Borough
Wyatt Hill - Wroxham
Rossi Jarvis – Dereham Town
Ryan Jarvis – Lowestoft Town
Kyle Sore – Leiston St Margarets
Jack Spooner – Harleston Town

Bromsgrove Sporting heaved a huge sigh of relief after finishing fourth-from-bottom last season, having been in grave danger of going down at one stage – and just a couple of Covid-hit seasons after being promotion contenders.

The Rouslers have a new management team in place and virtually a brand-new squad which will obviously take time to gel.

Pre-season results, whilst not always a great indicator, have been mixed, with defeats to lower league opposition in Sporting Khalsa and Walsall Wood, but a 1-0 win over National League South side Hemel Hempstead Town would have encouraged Sporting’s loyal faollowers.

Striker Dan Sweeney being prized away from neighbours and rivals Redditch could be a key signing.

New Signings

Andre Brown – Hednesford Town
Jack Byrne - AFC Fylde (Loan)
Joe Curtis – Corby Town
Ryan Edmunds – Redditch United
George Forsyth - Stourbridge
James Fry – Tamworth
Harvey Gregson - AFC Fylde (Loan)
Callum King-Harness – Hednesford Town
Ryan Pryce – Nuneaton Borough
Charlie Shaw - Tamworth
Dan Sweeney – Redditch United
Mike Taylor – Halesowen Town

Bromsgrove start the 2022/23 season with a Victoria Ground visit from St Ives Town.

Another club often said to be `punching above their weight`, the Saints had a relatively quiet summer until the last few days when they have had an influx of new arrivals.

The Saints finished 14th last season and never really looked in any danger.

Former Royston striker Jonny Edwards from FC Romania looks an interesting recruit.

New Signings

Enoch Andoh – Stratford Town
Myles Cowling – Cambridge United (Season’s Loan)
Johnny Herd – Peterborough Sports
Jonathan Edwards – FC Romania
Lewis Lembikisa – Chester-le-Street United
Kane Lewis – Cefn Druids
Julien Saka – Soham Town Rangers
Owen Sheriff – Boston United

Stratford Town are third favourites for relegation, despite finishing a place above St Ives last season.

There has been a lot of comings and goings at the Arden Garages Stadium and the interesting pair-up of former Bolton Wanderers star Dean Holdsworth and Gavin Hurren have been extremely busy.

The duo of midfielder Josh Hawker and defender Paul McCone from Halesowen Town should strengthen the Bards, but it could be a tough 2022/23.

New Signings

Curvin Ellis – Sutton Coldfield Town
Josh Endall – Hednesford Town
Josh Hawker – Halesowen Town
Paul McCone – Halesowen Town
Jamie Molyneux – Bromsgrove Sporting
James O’Neill – Stafford Rangers
Lucas Powell – Barwell
Kurtis Revan – Redditch United
Dexter Walters – Tamworth

Kings Langley are another club who seem to defy the odds in competing at Step 3 level.

However, their own decision to switch back to the Premier Division South almost ended in disaster as they only avoided the drop by one place.

They are now back in the Central section and although are the firm favourites to go down with the bookmakers, have made a couple of decent signings and have had some good pre-season results.

New Signings

Hafed Al Droubi – Potters Bar Town
Josh Boorn – Chalfont St Peter
James Kaloczi – Hemel Hempstead Town
James Mulley - Ware
Noyan Tajbakhsh – St Panteleimon

Second-favourites for relegation are Hitchin Town after they flirted with the drop for the majority of last season.

Long-serving boss Mark Burke has once again delved into the lower leagues for recruits – something which has proved successful in the past.

The Canaries have a very strong, loyal support base and even when they were struggling, attendances remained steady.

New Signings

Delsin Ackom – Barton Rovers
George Devine – Biggleswade Town
Callum Kane – Baldock Town
Sam Meakes – St Albans City
Jack Morrell – East Thurrock United
Tiernan Parker – Colney Heath
Toby Syme – Harpenden Town
Finlay Wilkinson – Histon

Hitchin start the new campaign with a trip north to Leicestershire to take on another team tipped by the bookmakers to struggle, Barwell.

However, the `other` Canaries have enjoyed an unbeaten pre-season campaign and have kept the majority of last season’s squad together but have yet to confirm any new arrivals at the UK Flooring Direct Stadium.

New Signings

None to date

It’s a similar story at Needham Market, who finished 12th last season.

Kevin Horlock seems to be happy with what he has both in his current squad and what’s coming through his academy and under-23s at Bloomfields as he heads to Hayden Road on Saturday.

New Signings

None to date

The Bookmakers

5/2
Ilkeston Town
9/2
Tamworth
6/1
Coalville Town
8/1
Hednesford Town
8/1
Stourbridge
12/1
Rushall Olympic
14/1
Alvechurch
14/1
Royston Town
18/1
Leiston
18/1
AFC Rushden & Diamonds
28/1
Mickleover
33/1
Needham Market
40/1
Bedford Town
40/1
St Ives Town
50/1
Basford United
50/1
Bromsgrove Sporting
50/1
Redditch United
66/1
Barwell
66/1
Nuneaton Borough
66/1
Stratford Town
100/1
Hitchin Town
100/1
King’s Langley