TLFG DAILY DIGEST
In the following section, I list what are in my opinion the most notable games of the week and give some brief reasons for my choice. Check the maps above for kick-off times, ticket info and directions.
Monday 28 April
Premier League 2
The week begins with a couple of U21 matches. With the 20 regular season games complete, these are both first round play-off games. Crystal Palace host old rivals Brighton & Hove Albion at Sutton United, whilst Fulham take on Nottingham Forest at their Motspur Park training ground. Both matches kick-off at 7pm and tickets will be available on arrival
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday 29 April
UEFA Champions League Semi-Final First Leg
Arsenal v Paris Saint-Germain @8pm - arguably the biggest game of the week takes place at the Emirates. After sensationally beating Real Madrid in the quarter-finals, the Gunners next take on PSG. Both sides have been to the final only once before but neither of them have ever won it. For me, Arsenal will win this tie but come unstuck in the final. Tickets are only available to members but
hospitality packages are available from £1,395 per person
National League Cup Final
Sutton United v Leeds United U21 @7pm - this competition is for fifth tier clubs and Premier League/EFL U21 teams. It has received a lot of criticism as it was essentially set up as a form of compensation to the biggest non-league clubs for getting rid of FA Cup replays. Fans weren't amused and have voted with their feet, creating very low crowds for many of these games. This is the first final and it's being played at Sutton's ground rather than a neutral venue.
Tickets are £12
National League South Play-Off Eliminator
Boreham Wood v Dorking Wanderers @745pm - the real fun this week will be found in the numerous play-off matches which are taking place. Six teams headed into the final day of the NLS season with a chance of winning the title. Neither of these made it but they've got another crack at promotion through the play-offs. In this division, the teams in second to seventh qualify with the teams in second and third getting a bye through this round. These sides got relegated from the fifth tier together last year but only one of them can progress. The Surrey club are unbeaten in four against The Wood and could well win.
Tickets
SCEFL Premier
VCD Athletic v Punjab United @745pm - the hosts pushed Faversham Town hard for the title but ultimately fell short. They finished 14 points ahead of Punjab who sealed their spot in the post-season on the final day. Although the Vickers have had a better season, the visitors arrive in better form which is often crucial at this stage. Tickets will be available on the gate and shouldn't exceed £10
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday 30 April
Isthmian League Premier Play-Off Semi-Final
Dartford v Cray Valley PM @745pm - the title was theirs to win with two games to go but with only one point from those final matches, the Darts finished third. They've picked up a devilishly tough semi-final against local rivals CVPM. New to this level this season, the visitors are in better form and will no doubt make life challenging for the hosts. You are strongly advised to buy your
tickets in advance
Southern League Premier South Play-Off Semi-Final
Walton & Hersham v Gloucester City @745pm - among the leading group for sometime now, the Swans always looked like making the play-offs. With Welsh club Merthyr Town having won the title, the Surrey club will be hoping to join them. The winners will play AFC Totton or Dorchester Town in the final. Another big crowd is expected so buy your
tickets in advance
Isthmian League South Central Play-Off Semi-Finals
Hanworth Villa v Ascot United @745pm - the Villains won their final game against Horndean 5-2 to demonstrate that they should be a force to be reckoned with at this stage. They drew 0-0 with Ascot a couple of weeks ago and it will no doubt be tight again here. Tickets are £11 on the gate
Uxbridge v Kingstonian @745pm - the Reds would seem to be the team to beat in the play-offs. They finished second and are in better form than any of the other contenders. The K's were second for a long time but fell away badly and if it wasn't for an upturn in results right at the end, they would've probably missed out on a top-five finish - they'll do very well to win. Tickets are £10 on the gate
Essex Senior League Play-Off Semi-Final
Woodford Town v Great Wakering Rovers @745pm - the hosts were in title contention for most of the season but Stanway Rovers eventually prevailed as Woodford finished third. GWR, who hail from the Southend area, finished fifth but are in very similar form coming into this so it could go all the way to penalties. Tickets are £7 on the gate
SSML Premier Play-Off Semi-Final
Cockfosters v London Lions @745pm - we've got a north London derby in this other ninth-tier division. Finishing just three points apart, this is another one which looks too close to call. With Milton Keynes Irish having won the title, one of these two will play Tring Athletic or Wormley Rovers in the final. Tickets are £10 on the gate
ECL Division 1 South Play-Off Semi-Final
AS London v Rayleigh Town @745pm - dropping into the 10th tier, this game was held up because of a delayed decision about reports of racism in an earlier game featuring AS London. The match against Cannons Wood was ordered to be replayed but they opted not to and forfeited the points. Rayleigh, from Essex, finished a point behind them and now have to make this trip to Haringey. The two played in their final league game a week ago and AS London won 5-1 away. Tickets will be available on the gate. Update - this match has been postponed
SCEFL Division 1 Play-Off Semi-Final
Forest Hill Park v Croydon @745pm - in a four-horse race for the title going into the final game, both these sides could only manage a draw so have ended up playing each other in the battle for the second and final promotion spot instead. FHP were top but lost a load of momentum in the closing weeks of the season and finished 14th in the form table. The Trams finished below them in the regular table but come into this on a lengthy unbeaten run. Tickets will be available on the gate
SOUL Tower Hamlets v Sheppey Sports @745pm - STH missed out on the title on goal difference whilst Sheppey squeaked into the play-offs on the final day. The hosts have won four of their last five so should start as favourites. Tickets will be available on the gate. Update - this now being played outside London at Corinthian FC in Kent
Premier League Cup Semi-Final
QPR v Burnley @7pm - these two Championship clubs have made it to the last four of this U21 competition. Their respective first teams met at Loftus Road for an EFL game on Saturday with the Clarets winning 5-0. The young R's will hope to do a lot better than that. The winners will face Southampton or Brentford in the final. This is also being played at Loftus Road and apparently it's free entry although a donation to the club's trust would be appreciated
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday 2 May
CCL Division 1 Play-Off Final
Westside v Eversley & California @730pm - the hosts, who play at Colliers Wood United's ground, have had a fantastic season. Having only been in senior football since 2019 and never having finished above 11th, it's been remarkable to see them come second. Often described as the least supported club in London too, it's even more of an achievement. E&C hail from Hampshire rather than America's west coast and came fourth. They got past Penn & Tylers Green on penalties in the semi-finals and will start as marginal underdogs. Tickets will be available on the gate - prices haven't been published but it shouldn't exceed £10
Professional Development League
Millwall v Hull City @2pm - earlier in the day, the teams in third in the parallel Group North and Group South meet at The Den. The Lions need to win this final game of the regular season to keep their play-off hopes alive.
Tickets
EAL Senior Division
Philip United v Waltham Forest Borough @745pm - the hosts, who have no website or social media presence which I'm aware of, go into this final game as the newly crowned league champions. For a club founded in 2023, they've got off to an exceptional start. They have applied for promotion to the 10th tier so let's see if they get accepted. The match is being played at Redbridge
SPCFL Premier
Dial Square v Worcester Park @745pm - third plays fourth in this 11th-tier game. This will be the visitors' final game and they are out of the title race whatever happens here. Dial Square, who were formed by a group of disillusioned Arsenal fans five years ago, have two games to go and can still finish first. They will need to win here though to have any chance. This is being played at Ashford Town
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Premier League
Arsenal v AFC Bournemouth @530pm - only drawing with Crystal Palace to end their slim title hopes and losing the first leg of their Champions League tie against PSG, it's been a disappointing week or so for the Gunners. Still not assured of second, they need to keep on winning. The Cherries were threatening a top-six finish but now it's more about making certain they stay in the top 10. Since returning to the Premier League in 2022, they've lost four of their five games against Mikel Arteta's team but crucially they won the last one in October. Tickets are only available to members and their family and friends.
Hospitality packages are available from £595
Championship
Watford v Sheffield Wednesday @1230pm - the EFL season concludes on Saturday with all games in this division starting at lunchtime. A point apart in midtable, these clubs have nothing to play for other than who finishes 12th. With the pressure off, these games can either be a non-event or highly entertaining as the sides can go for it without any real consequences. The Hornets have lost five of their last six so are in way worse form.
Tickets
League One
Charlton Athletic v Burton Albion @3pm - the Addicks have already secured their play-off place but a win here could see them finish as high as third and get home advantage in the second leg. The Brewers sit just above the relegation zone but have done enough to stay up so have little to play for.
Tickets
League Two
Bromley v Cheltenham Town @3pm - a win in their final game could see the Ravens finish tenth which would be a fine performance from a club playing in the EFL for the first time. Cheltenham are three points behind in midtable so this is another game with little riding on it.
Tickets
CCL Premier North Play-Off Final
Bedfont Sports v Harefield United @3pm - when this blog started in 2011, Bedfont were in the 10th tier. Since then they've won two promotions, making the heady heights of the Isthmian League. However, they came back down to this division two years ago. Third last year, they lost in the play-offs. Second this time, they'll hope to go one better. Harefield finished fourth and caused an upset by beating Amersham in the semi-finals so if they win here it will be a huge bonus - they haven't played in the Isthmian League since the '90s. Tickets are £8 on the gate
SPCFL Premier
Wimbledon Casuals v Bagshot @215pm - if Dial Square lose on Friday, then Wimbledon will already be champions coming into this. If Dial Square pick up three points, then a win here will see Casuals over the line. Bagshot are one point and one place above the relegation zone so they're going to do well to get anything here. This is being played at the Elmbridge Xcel Leisure Complex in Walton-on-Thames
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday 4 May
Premier League
Brentford v Manchester United @2pm - these sides both had great Thursday nights. The Bees went to high flying Nottingham Forest and won 2-0, meaning a top-eight finish is now a possibility. United, on the other hand, went to the Basque Country and beat Athletic Bilbao 3-0 in the first leg if their Europa League Semi-Final. Brentford have become expert at giving the bigger clubs an uncomfortable time but they've struggled against the Red Devils winning only one of the seven games against them since 2021. Tickets are only available to members
West Ham United v Tottenham Hotspur @2pm - I can't really believe I'm writing this but these two are a point apart just above the relegation zone. Thankfully for them, the bottom three have been so bad that they've both been safe for a while. The Hammers have been playing some pretty stodgy stuff of late, eking out the odd draw here and there whilst Spurs have lost five of their last six.
Tickets Chelsea v Liverpool @430pm - the biggest game of the day takes place at Stamford Bridge where the Blues welcome the newly crowned league champions. Out of all the cups, the Reds can simply enjoy their final four games of the season. Chelsea, however, are still in the dogfight for a Champions League place so they'll be under far more pressure to succeed.
Tickets
Isthmian League South Central Play-Off Final
Uxbridge v Hanworth Villa @3pm - finishing second and third in the regular season, the 'right' teams have made it to the final. The hosts squeaked past Kingstonian on penalties in the semi-finals whilst Hanworth beat Ascot 2-1. Despite their success, both sides have only averaged crowds a little over 200 this season so to see them both pull in around 700 on Wednesday shows how big these games are. Matches between the two were tight this season and when they last met a couple of weeks ago, it took a 98th-minute penalty from Sam Merson to salvage a 2-2 draw for Hanworth. As such a big crowd is expected,
you must buy your ticket in advance
Women's Super League
Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea @215pm - after getting trounced by Barcelona in the Champions League on Sunday, the Blues went to Manchester United on Wednesday and beat them 1-0 to win the title with two games to spare. With the League Cup already won, it's now all about beating Manchester United again in the FA Cup on 18 May and winning a domestic treble. As for Spurs, this season has been hugely disappointing. After breaking into the top six and reaching the FA Cup final, they've failed to push on and this season has been a real slog. Their last win was in January when they just about beat bottom club Crystal Palace 3-2. If Robert Vilahamn keeps his job into next season, he'll have been lucky. This is being played at the THS so it's a great opportunity to visit arguably London's best stadium for a fraction of the normal price.
Tickets Crystal Palace v Leicester City @2pm - as mentioned above, the Eagles have struggled this season and their relegation has now been confirmed. After all the joy surrounding their promotion a year ago, they spent pretty much all of their first season in the WSL at the bottom. There were a lot of spirited performances and they didn't disgrace themselves but it's now all about rebuilding and going again in the Championship. The Foxes are just above them in the table but in no danger of going down so neither side really has anything at stake here. This is being played at Sutton United.
Tickets West Ham United v Aston Villa @3pm - boss Rehanne Skinner should be in contention for manager of the year such has been the transformation of the Hammers' fortunes this season. Second from bottom last year, a win here could see them go fifth. Unbeaten in five and with German wunderkind Shekiera Martinez banging in nine goals in ten games since joining the side in January, things are looking really bright. After a very challenging campaign, Villa are in the best form they've been in and arrive in east London on the back of thrashing Champions League finalists Arsenal 5-2. This is being played at Dagenham & Redbridge.
Tickets
L&SE Women's League Premier
Fulham v SL Benfica @230pm - with no Championship sides playing in London and the WNL finishing last week, our next featured match is way down in the fifth tier but it's a big one. The Cottagers are playing this one at Craven Cottage as victory will see them clinch the title and secure promotion, something that has looked inevitable for weeks if not months. It's also huge for Benfica who pipped Brentford to promotion last season and but are on the verge of being relegated. Currently just above the bottom two, only goal difference is keeping them above Ashford United. This will be Benfica's final game but Ashford still have a game in hand.
Tickets Millwall Lionesses v Ashford United @130pm - talking of Ashford, they're being given the opportunity, in what could be one of their last games at this level, to play on the hallowed turf of The Den. The Lionesses have coasted along in midtable and if they win this final game, then they could achieve a top-half finish. As we've already mentioned, Ashford are in trouble. If Benfica somehow do the unthinkable and win at Fulham, then Ashford will have to win here as their goal difference is significantly inferior to Benfica's. Millwall have also made this a 'Family Fun Day' with bouncy castles and all other kinds of kid-friendly entertainment to encourage attendance.
Tickets
L&SE Women's League D1 North
Clapton CFC v Brentford @2pm - in the sixth tier there could be quite a substantial crowd at the Old Spotted Dog. London's oldest ground plays host to the game which will almost certainly see the Bees crowned as champions. After the embarrassment of failing to win a division where their resources must have outstripped all the other clubs put together, Brentford have taken no chances this time round. Having assembled a side probably good enough to compete a couple of divisions above this, they've won every single game. For CCFC, this will be all about the official opening of the alleyway behind the ground which used to be a dark and quite scary thoroughfare for local residents. They've cleaned it, opened it right up and made it far safer and will name it after club legend Walter Tull. He was only the third person of mixed heritage to play top-level football in this country. One his descendants and biographer will be present at the ceremony. Entry is by a suggested donation of £5 - more details on this and everything that's going on can be found
here ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday 5 May
Premier League
Crystal Palace v Nottingham Forest @8pm - this could've been a dress rehearsal for the FA Cup Final but with the Eagles making it to Wembley, Forest lost to Manchester City in the semis. With four defeats in five, the East Midlands club are having a wobble at the worst possible time but Champions League qualification is still a possibility if they win here. Palace look like finishing 12th so it's all about being at their best for the FA Cup in two weeks time. Tickets are only available to members
National League
Wealdstone v FC Halifax Town @3pm - it's the final day in the fifth tier with the most important game in the capital being this one at Grosvenor Vale. The Stones have struggled this season and go into their last game knowing that a win is essential but might still not be enough to keep them up. The visitors have already secured a play-off place but a win could see them get home advantage for the opening round of the post-season.
Tickets Sutton United v Woking @3pm - in the other fixture we've got a game between two midtable sides. Although there's not a huge amount at stake, they both fall under the jurisdiction of the Surrey FA so there's a bit of a derby feel to this one.
Tickets
Isthmian League Premier Play-Off Final
Dartford v Dover Athletic @3pm - the stakes will be far higher at Princes Park where these two Kent clubs will do battle for a place in the National League South. Both sides suffered relegation from that division last season so are looking for an instant return. When they last played each other here a couple of weeks ago, the Darts won 3-1. However, Dover caused an upset by winning at Billericay in their play-off semi on Wednesday so they arrive in good form. Unsurprisingly, tickets have sold out
SCEFL Premier Play-Off Final
VCD Athletic v Fisher @3pm - two TLFG teams from south-east London go head-to-head for promotion to the Isthmian League South East. VCD were in title contention for most of the season, finished second and will start as favourites in an attempt to get back to the level they last played at two years ago. The Fish, descended from Fisher Athletic, reformed in 2009 as a tenth-tier club. In the intervening years, they've spent most of that time in the ninth tier where they find themselves today. If they win here, they'll rise to the highest level in their history. In the semis they caused upset by winning at FA Vase finalists Whitstable Town. Tickets are £10 on the gate
SSML Premier Play-Off Final
London Lions v Wormley Rovers @3pm - in the far north of London, the capital's top club for Jewish players are also on the cusp of reaching the highest level in their history. After edging past Cockfosters on penalties, they now prepare to welcome Wormley who beat Tring Atheltic a side who finished 13 points ahead of them. The visitors are located around a 30-minute drive from Rowley Lane so they should bring a sizeable following. I haven't seen any ticket prices but it shouldn't be more than £10
ECL Challenge Cup Final
Hackney Wick v Harlow Town @3pm - these two finished level on points at the top of the ECL Division 1 South. Showing how strong they are, they've both made it to the final of competition which is open to ninth-tier clubs too. With the Wickers still involved in the play-offs, Harlow will be looking to complete a league and cup double. This match is being played at Aveley and tickets are £8 on arrival
Professional Development League
If all the matches above weren't thrilling enough, there are also a couple of U21 games at lunchtime.
Brentford are playing Barnsley at the GTech at 1pm (
tickets) whilst
Watford host Sheffield Wednesday at Vicarage Road at 2pm (
tickets)
