Position : 5th - 48 Points
Form : Played 11/Won 11/Drawn 0/Lost 0 - 33/33 Points
Taunton Town, despite suffering financially in the past, now look to be a club on the rise as they are aiming to reach the 7th tier of English football for the first time in their history. They fell just short of promotion last season, losing in the playoff final, a fate they also suffered back in the 2006/07 season. This year has been incredible so far for Taunton, an FA Cup run which saw them reach the 1st Round for the second time in their history, where they were eventually beaten by Barrow in the replay. Usually non-league teams that go on a cup run like this, have great form in the league whilst they are still in the cup, then when eventually being knocked out, their league suffers heavily, similar to Chesham last year. It looked like it this was going to be the case for Taunton Town, losing to Salisbury in the league before getting knocked out of the FA Trophy by Chelmsford City, however, this seemed to wake them up and motivate them, as they've won all 11 league outings since the FA Trophy defeat. Their incredible run has sent them flying up the table, going from averaging just over a point per game as they had only 15 points after 12 outings, they're now up to 48 points from 23 games, an incredible turnaround for a side at any level. They also have 4-5 games in hand on the teams around them, and, winning these would see them as heavy for the playoff spots, as they'd be 5 points clear of 3rd place, yet 12 points off league leaders Hereford FC. What makes their run even more impressive, is that they haven't just been playing and beating mid-table and teams much worse than them, but have also beaten 4 of the teams in the top 7; Mangotsfield United, Evesham, Tiverton Town, and my side Hereford FC, who were unbeaten in the league until this fixture. Their record in this period has been nothing short of incredible, averaging an absurd 4.18 goals per game, whilst conceding only 0.73 per game. After watching them beat Hereford two weeks ago, it's evident why they've had so much success recently, they're a very well organised, well disciplined, physical team. As soon as they get a chance, they take it, showed by their quickfire double against us. They bully the opposition in midfield, yet they play decent football, preferring to keep the ball on the ground, rather than resorting to hoofing it to their big lad up top. I don't think they'll catch us this year, especially with the fixture congestion that they'll have in the final 3 months of the season, however, they'll definitely be in the playoffs, and, I can't see anyone beating them at that stage this year.
Alvechurch
Position : 1st - 66 Points
Form : Played 19/Won 16/Drawn 2/Lost 1 - 50/57 Points
Since reforming in 1996, Alvechurch are yet to get themselves back into the Southern League Premier, in which they were previously in, but recent years have showed signs of improvement. Last year, they finished runners-up to Hereford FC, despite managing an incredible 101 points. They managed to keep Ian Long at the helm and the bulk of the squad, but this year, they started slow again, picking up 16 points from their first 11 games, However in their previous 19, they've started to reproduce their incredible form of last year, picking up an incredible 50 points, the only blemish on the record, came against Boldmere on the 17th December. They bolster a strong squad, with some of the best players in the league for sure, most notably of these, are forward Josh March, currently on 27 goals and centre-half Jamie Willets, consistent and almost untouchable in the air. Their averaging a solid 2.79 goals per game, whilst at the other end during this period, they're even stronger, conceding 0.63 goals per game. There are sides in the division with games in hand on them, but they proved last year, that they can keep composed when it counts and grind out results. With only the winners gaining promotion out of this division, it's vital, they keep picking up clean sheets, to keep that goal difference high. They're a great club, with a passionate chairman and manager, and, with a squad that is definitely capable playing at a higher tier, I can't see them not winning the league this year.
Bromsgrove Sporting
Position : 1st - 53 Points
Form : Played 21/Won 16/Drawn 5/Lost 0 - 53/63 Points
Founded in 2009, Bromsgrove Sporting, have always seemed to impress and show consistency no matter what league they're in. They've won a trio of local cup competitions, but this year have their sights set firmly on promotion to the Midland Football League Premier. They're well on their way to not only promotion this season, but also becoming the newest invicibles, as they're yet to suffer defeat this season. It's not only in the league that they are finding success in either, as they find themselves in the 5th Round of the FA Vase, where they play last year's semi-finalists, Bristol Manor Farm. They have games in hand on many in their division, due to their impressive cup run and with the way they're currently performing, you wouldn't bet against them winning this division. The squad seems well balanced, shown by the fact that they've scored an incredible 3.1 goals per game, whilst only conceding 0.76 goals per game. What's also impressive about them is how well they're supported for 10th tier club, averaging an incredible attendance of 554, which is the 61st highest in non-league. Bromsgrove Sporting are definitely a club on the rise and if they can keep this form going, then they are going to have a special season.
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