Sunday 20 December 2015

TLFG: 21 December 2015 - 3 January 2016

Greetings one and all and welcome to the Christmas/New Year special of TLFG.

Like a footballing edition of the festive Radio Times, it should have all you need to keep abreast of what's going on in the capital over the next two weeks.

Whether you want to see a Premier League blockbuster, an off-beat Football League thriller or a gritty non-league drama there should be something to suit you.

The usual TLFG Top 10 recommendations section has become a daily guide with lots more matches but in briefer detail - this is because there are so many good games at this time of year, particularly derbies.

Personally I'm hoping for some thrills at QPR and a bit of drama at Harrow Borough but it largely depends on my work schedule which is a bit unpredictable at this time of year.

On Tuesday I did finally get to see a game as my beloved R's played host to title chasing Brighton from Sussex.

Given Albion's close proximity to London, any match against opposition from the capital is pretty much seen as a derby. 

With a journey time of less than 75 minutes from the south coast to Shepherd's Bush by train, it was no surprise to see the visitors bring the best part of 3,000 fans to fill up the away end.

This was particularly notable as no away side, including all the big Premier League clubs, over the last couple of years had been given any more than the upper tier rather than the whole lot.

Anyway, the game was a good one. Rangers shaded a competitive goalless first half before two goals in a minute shortly after the interval put Brighton in total control.

Unfazed, QPR fought back and with the aid of a late red card and superman Charlie Austin's brace of goals, grabbed a share of the spoils. In fact, it could even have been all three points as the hosts came close to scoring again in the seven minutes of injury time which came at the end.

I know one or two TLFG readers were planning to see this game too, so let me know if you made it.

Aside from this, the biggest talking point of the week was undoubtedly the sacking of Jose Mourinho by Chelsea

I've said before that I'm actually quite a big fan of the guy but the results have been appalling so it comes as no great shock - if Garry Monk had to go at Swansea, then the Portuguese had no chance.

It's also been interesting to see how much support Chelsea's fans have given Mourinho, laying the blame for their current predicament firmly at the players' feet - not many supporters would've been so sad to see the manager of a failing team go.

I'm sure they'll forget about him soon enough if the results pick up and life without the Special One began well. First-team coaches Eddie Newton and Steve Holland guided them to a 3-1 win over Sunderland while new boss Guus Hiddink watched from the stands alongside Roman Abramovich.

TLFG fact - Eddie Newton was a witness at my wedding. Not many QPR fans can 'boast' of a Chelsea legend playing an important role in their lives!!!

Right, I think that's it from me for a couple of weeks. I hope the holiday season is restful and fun for you and you get to see as much football as possible - with staggered kick-offs, it's possible to see more than one game on some days so check the match maps closely for the details.

LATEST TICKET NEWS
Please follow this link or click on the tab at the top of the page for all the information you need about how to get a ticket, what's currently available to non-members at London's biggest clubs and any other special offers or promotions which might be running.


THE WEEK AHEAD
There are over 130 matches in the London area over the next two weeks so there's plenty to choose from whatever your budget.

However, please make sure you check with clubs before you travel just in case a game has been called off or venue has been changed. Also, please let me know if anything is wrong or missing.

Details on all of this week's games can be found on the following match maps. If you've never used them before, please note that when there is more than one match at a specific ground you'll only be able to see individual match pins if you zoom right in. If you don't, the pins obscure each other and you might miss them. To avoid this, you can also scroll down the list of games on the drop down menu at the top of the map page to make sure you get all the information. Games are listed from top to bottom in date order so Monday's games (yellow pin) will appear first and Sunday's (white pin) last. Games are also ranked in terms of status so the higher the division, the higher up the list they will appear on each day.

Also if you're unfamiliar with the English league structure I indicate the level at which an individual league sits in the national 'pyramid' with the Premier League at the top (Level 1) and various minor leagues at the bottom (Level 10). Typically a top level game will see crowds of anywhere between 20,000-60,000. These figures will gradually decline as you go down the leagues until you get to Levels 8-10 where attendances of 150 or less are most common.

It should also be noted that the top four levels are for fully professional teams. Level 5 has a mixture of professional and semi-professional teams, while Levels 6-10 will see most players paid but it will vary from no more than travel expenses at the bottom, right up to several hundred pounds a week at the top (e.g. clubs in the Conference South).

MATCH MAP 21-25 DECEMBER
Yellow pin - Monday fixtures
Green pin - Tuesday fixtures




MATCH MAP 26-27 DECEMBER
Blue pin - Boxing Day fixtures
White pin - Sunday fixtures



MATCH MAP 28 DECEMBER-1 JANUARY
Yellow pin - Monday fixtures
Green pin - Tuesday fixtures
Black pin - New Year's Day fixtures


MATCH MAP 2-3 JANUARY
Blue pin - Saturday fixtures
White pin - Sunday fixtures



Next up is this week's TLFG match recommendations where I list a few games which I think could be worth a watch. If I miss one that you think should get a mention then add your own in the comments section below.

TLFG's CHRISTMAS CRACKERS

Monday 21 December
Arsenal v Manchester City - battle of second versus third in the Premier League
Sutton United v Concord Rangers - FA Trophy replay with reduced admission prices

Tuesday 22 December
Metropolitan Police v Molesey - local derby in Surrey Senior Cup
Corinthian Casuals v Dulwich Hamlet - all Isthmian League tie in London Senior Cup

Saturday 26 December
Chelsea v Watford - Guus Hiddink takes charge of the Blues for this derby against tricky opponents
Tottenham Hotspur v Norwich City - Spurs look to consolidate top four place 
Brentford v Brighton & Hove Albion - Championship play-off contenders meet for a derby of sorts
Millwall v Walsall - as above but in League One and not a derby
Leyton Orient v Portsmouth - as above but in League Two and kind of a derby
Bromley v Eastleigh - the Ravens welcome National League title chasers from Hampshire
Welling United v Dover Athletic - important for clubs at both ends of National League
Dulwich Hamlet v Kingstonian - top-five clash in Isthmian League Premier Division and also derby of a kind
Hampton & Richmond Borough v Staines Town - a win could put Boro top of the Isthmian League
Harrow Borough v Hendon - groundshare derby in Isthmian League between old, friendly, rivals
North Greenford United v Hanwell Town - derby between very local rivals in the Southern League
Phoenix Sports v Cray Wanderers - Cray look to hold on to top spot in Isthmian 1 North and a south-east London derby
Barking v FC Romania - third versus first in the Essex Senior League
Croydon v AFC Croydon Athletic - Croydon derby, 'nuff said

Sunday 27 December
Wadham Lodge v Ilford - Essex Senior League clash up in E17 
Glebe v Lewisham Borough - top versus bottom in the Kent Invicta League

Monday 28 December
Arsenal v Bournemouth - the Gunners' push for top spot continues against the slayers of Chelsea and Manchester United
Watford v Tottenham Hotspur - derby between teams who both have European ambitions
Charlton Athletic v Wolverhampton Wanderers - the Addicks fight for survival against former Premier League club Wolves
Queens Park Rangers v Huddersfield Town - Rangers go in search of first home win under JFH
Dartford v Margate - Kent derby in National League South
CB Hounslow United v Bedfont & Feltham - groundshare derby between CCL1 title contenders

Tuesday 29 December
Fulham v Rotherham United - fairly uninspiring Championship clash but the best there is on this day
Wingate & Finchley v Enfield Town - north London derby in Isthmian League
Thurrock v Romford - groundshare derby in Isthmian League 1 North

Friday 1 January
Queens Park Rangers v Hull City - QPR entertain Championship title contenders Hull on TV

Saturday 2 January
Watford v Manchester City - another big game for the Hornets as title chasing City come to town
West Ham United v Liverpool - interesting clash in battle for Europa League spots
Fulham v Sheffield Wednesday - best of the rest, worth a go
Dartford v Chelmsford City - the Darts could move into the NLS play-off places with a win here
Hendon v Wingate & Finchley - derby match and 'Pay What You Want' to get in - what a bargain!
Cray Wanderers v Thurrock - top-four clash in Isthmian 1 North
Clapton v London Bari - groundshare derby and a chance to see the Clapton Ultras in festive action

Sunday 3 January
Crystal Palace v Chelsea - London derby featuring a side more than capable of humbling the Blues


GET INVOLVED
If you're going to see a game, whether you're a local or a visitor, please let me know what you've been up to. If you're interested in reviewing a ground within the London area for this blog then get in touch. You might also want to have a go at writing a 'Top Ten' one week. I also very much welcome photos of your football travels.

Got any questions about visiting London? Don't hesitate to ask - be they football or more general travel/touristy queries.

You can contact TLFG through the comments section below or via FacebookTwitter or even by good old email.

Monday 14 December 2015

TLFG: 14-20 December 2015


Welcome to this week's TLFG.

I've been a bit overrun so it's a bit of a token effort from me this week I'm afraid.

The match maps are pretty much all I've been able to produce. If I get the chance to add a bit of flesh to the bones then I will but if not, then at least you've got the important information.

I hope to have the Christmas/New Year Special up next weekend - fingers crossed!

Have a great week and be careful with those mince pies.

PS - don't forget, there are still free tickets available for the live broadcasts of London Live's sports debate show 'Kicks Off' tonight (Monday) and on Friday. Get in touch with Luke if you want some.

LATEST TICKET NEWS
Please follow this link or click on the tab at the top of the page for all the information you need about how to get a ticket, what's currently available to non-members at London's biggest clubs and any other special offers or promotions which might be running.


THE WEEK AHEAD
There are over 90 matches in the London area over the next seven days so there's plenty to choose from whatever your budget.

However, please make sure you check with clubs before you travel just in case a game has been called off or venue has been changed. Also, please let me know if anything is wrong or missing.

Details on all of this week's games can be found on the following match maps. If you've never used them before, please note that when there is more than one match at a specific ground you'll only be able to see individual match pins if you zoom right in. If you don't, the pins obscure each other and you might miss them. To avoid this, you can also scroll down the list of games on the drop down menu at the top of the map page to make sure you get all the information. Games are listed from top to bottom in date order so Monday's games (yellow pin) will appear first and Sunday's (white pin) last. Games are also ranked in terms of status so the higher the division, the higher up the list they will appear on each day.

Also if you're unfamiliar with the English league structure I indicate the level at which an individual league sits in the national 'pyramid' with the Premier League at the top (Level 1) and various minor leagues at the bottom (Level 10). Typically a top level game will see crowds of anywhere between 20,000-60,000. These figures will gradually decline as you go down the leagues until you get to Levels 8-10 where attendances of 150 or less are most common.

It should also be noted that the top four levels are for fully professional teams. Level 5 has a mixture of professional and semi-professional teams, while Levels 6-10 will see most players paid but it will vary from no more than travel expenses at the bottom, right up to several hundred pounds a week at the top (e.g. clubs in the Conference South).

MIDWEEK MATCH MAP
Yellow pin - Monday fixtures
Green pin - Tuesday fixtures
Red pin - Wednesday fixtures




WEEKEND MATCH MAP
Blue pin - Saturday fixtures
White pin - Sunday fixtures






GET INVOLVED
If you're going to see a game, whether you're a local or a visitor, please let me know what you've been up to. If you're interested in reviewing a ground within the London area for this blog then get in touch. You might also want to have a go at writing a 'Top Ten' one week. I also very much welcome photos of your football travels.

Got any questions about visiting London? Don't hesitate to ask - be they football or more general travel/touristy queries.

You can contact TLFG through the comments section below or via FacebookTwitter or even by good old email.

Thursday 10 December 2015

Free audience tickets for 'Jimmy Bullard Kicks Off'

I think for the first time in the history of this blog I'm doing a separate post outside of the normal weekly piece.

That's because I've been approached by the good people at London Live asking whether any of TLFG's readers would like to attend their football debate show 'Jimmy Bullard Kicks Off'.

The East Ham born midfielder is most famous for playing top-flight football for Wigan Athletic, Fulham and Hull City and also gained attention outside the game when he appeared on the 2014 edition of 'I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here'.

The show records tomorrow (Friday 11 December) at the TV channel's High St Kensington studios and you'd need to be there for 6pm for a bit of pre-show preparation and chat with Jimmy. The show itself broadcasts live from 7-8pm.

Once again, tickets are free so get in touch with Luke (luke.dolan@londonlive.co.uk) on the production team as soon as possible if you want to go. You're encouraged to wear club shirts/colours if you have them but it's not compulsory.

If you can't make it tomorrow, there are also places available for Monday (14 December) when former Chelsea and Spurs player Jason Cundy hosts and also next Friday (18 December) when Jimmy takes over again.

Enjoy and maybe see you there.


Monday 7 December 2015

TLFG: 7-13 December 2015

Greetings one and all and Happy Hanukkah if you're celebrating.

This seems particularly relevant this week as I received thousands of page views from Israel on Saturday, something that's never happened before and is probably from some kind of bot that distorts blog readership figures but if not and TLFG was mentioned in an article or forum then welcome.

Personally it's been another busy week which has left no time for watching live football but I've kept abreast of things the best I can.

It's almost impossible to believe that Chelsea lost again and to Bournemouth of all teams. As a QPR fan it's hard not to enjoy their malaise but I'm not one to crow and I actually quite like Jose Mourinho so to see him struggle so much isn't something I relish - however, I'm not going to lose any sleep over it. In fact, I even pondered whether I'd sacrifice promotion this year to see the Blues relegated - it would probably give me almost as much satisfaction! 

Anyway, that's a rare bit of partisan editorial from me - apologies.

Fancy a bargain? Get along to Barkingside
Thanks again for your emails this week. It's been great hearing how TLFG has helped people plan their football watching, visits to London and the UK as a whole. Keep them coming, it makes all the effort worthwhile.

It's also always great when clubs run special promotions to get new people in. Well on Monday (7 December), Barkingside are inviting you to 'Pay What You Want' for their Isthmian League match against Thamesmead Town. 

The Ilford club ran a similar promotion on Non-League Day back in October and should be commended for repeating what some may see as a risky scheme so soon after.

If you're free, and especially if you live on the east side of town, get yourself down to Cricklefields which is only a short walk from Seven Kings station on the line out of Liverpool Street.

Whatever the league, please let me know if you're club are offering any special deals and I'll do my best to promote them.

Have a great week. 

LATEST TICKET NEWS
Please follow this link or click on the tab at the top of the page for all the information you need about how to get a ticket, what's currently available to non-members at London's biggest clubs and any other special offers or promotions which might be running.


THE WEEK AHEAD
There are over 90 matches in the London area over the next seven days so there's plenty to choose from whatever your budget.

However, please make sure you check with clubs before you travel just in case a game has been called off or venue has been changed. Also, please let me know if anything is wrong or missing.

Details on all of this week's games can be found on the following match maps. If you've never used them before, please note that when there is more than one match at a specific ground you'll only be able to see individual match pins if you zoom right in. If you don't, the pins obscure each other and you might miss them. To avoid this, you can also scroll down the list of games on the drop down menu at the top of the map page to make sure you get all the information. Games are listed from top to bottom in date order so Monday's games (yellow pin) will appear first and Sunday's (white pin) last. Games are also ranked in terms of status so the higher the division, the higher up the list they will appear on each day.

Also if you're unfamiliar with the English league structure I indicate the level at which an individual league sits in the national 'pyramid' with the Premier League at the top (Level 1) and various minor leagues at the bottom (Level 10). Typically a top level game will see crowds of anywhere between 20,000-60,000. These figures will gradually decline as you go down the leagues until you get to Levels 8-10 where attendances of 150 or less are most common.

It should also be noted that the top four levels are for fully professional teams. Level 5 has a mixture of professional and semi-professional teams, while Levels 6-10 will see most players paid but it will vary from no more than travel expenses at the bottom, right up to several hundred pounds a week at the top (e.g. clubs in the Conference South).

MIDWEEK MATCH MAP
Yellow pin - Monday fixtures
Green pin - Tuesday fixtures
Red pin - Wednesday fixtures
Purple pin - Thursday fixtures




WEEKEND MATCH MAP
Blue pin - Saturday fixtures
White pin - Sunday fixtures



Next up is this week's TLFG match recommendations where I list a few games which I think could be worth a watch. If I miss one that you think should get a mention then add your own in the comments section below.

TLFG TOP 10

1. Chelsea v Porto - the disaster continued for the Blues on Saturday as they suffered another unthinkable defeat at home to newly promoted Bournemouth. The patience and faith owner Roman Abramovich is showing in Jose Mourinho right now is quite staggering and at the same time commendable. On Wednesday they face a big Champions League game against Porto, the club Mourinho originally made his name with. Thankfully for the Portuguese, things have gone relatively well in this competition so far and they're top going into this final group game. Given their goal difference, a draw should be enough to progress. (Champions League, Wednesday 9 December, 745pm. Ticket info)

2. Tottenham Hotspur v Monaco - Spurs have already booked their place in the last 32 of the Europa League but they haven't made sure of top spot which Anderlecht could still pip them to. Monaco are third and have everything to play for. They aren't the side they once were and should be beatable but they bring an air of glamour and can still field a few familiar faces. They enjoyed a 2-1 win at struggling Bastia on Saturday to stay fourth in the French top flight but, as you may have seen, it's a pretty weak competition which PSG are totally dominating being already a whopping 15 points clear after only 17 games. Tottenham picked up a point at West Brom to stay fifth. All tickets have been reduced to £25 and are still available. (Europa League, Thursday 10 December, 805pm. Ticket info)

3. West Ham United v Stoke City - if it's a bit of domestic action you crave then get yourself to the Boleyn Ground. The Hammers are still up in the top six but I'm not quite sure how after extending their winless run to five games on Saturday. Although they picked up a fine point with a 0-0 draw at Old Trafford against Manchester United, it's been a disappointing six weeks for Slaven Bilic's side. When most fans look at their fixture list and see 'Stoke at home' they probably think they've got a good chance of winning but under Mark Hughes, and Tony Pulis before him, they have become tough, professional and generally hard to beat. On Saturday the Potters humbled Manchester City at the Britannia Stadium and are unbeaten on their last three visits to east London so will be dangerous opponents. Also, don't forget that the historic Boleyn Ground is closing at the end of the season so if you're an infrequent visitor to London this could be your last chance to see a game there. (Premier League, Saturday 12 December, 3pm. Ticket info)

4. Fulham v Brentford - we've got a mouthwatering west London derby to look forward to at Craven Cottage on Saturday in the Championship. These two were big rivals in the lower two divisions of the Football League for most of the 20th century but following Mohamed al-Fayed's investment in the Cottagers in the late '90s and their rise to the Premier League, games between the clubs became non-existent. Last season they were reunited in the second tier and played their first matches since 1998. Fulham picked up an early win in the League Cup but the honours in the league itself went resoundingly to Brentford. This season, both clubs have already sacked their managers. The Bees have just brought in Dean Smith from Walsall while Fulham have yet to appoint a full-time replacement. The Bees are in much better form and their fans will almost certainly be the more vocal so it's looking like an away win for me. (Championship, Saturday 12 December, 3pm. Ticket info)

5. Queens Park Rangers v Burnley - a short ride on the 220 bus to the north we have another important day in the never dull history of QPR. After defeating Reading on Thursday night, interim manager Neil Warnock stepped down to be replaced by Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. The former Dutch international striker who won the Premier League Golden Boot twice with Leeds United and Chelsea, joins from League One leaders Burton Albion with whom he won promotion with last season. Although his managerial career has begun well, he still seems to be a bit of a punt in my opinion and he could find the often chaotic goings on at Loftus Road too much to handle. Good luck to him though and he'll need to be focused to get a result against an impressive Burnley side. The Clarets got relegated from the Premier League with the R's in May but have begun this season much better than their hosts and boast outspoken former QPR captain Joey Barton in their squad. (Championship, Saturday 12 December, 3pm. Ticket info)

6. Boreham Wood v Woking - there's not a great deal going on in League One and League Two this week so next up we have a game from the FA Trophy which has reached the 'first round proper' stage. This means the big boys of the National League's top division join the draw and things start to get serious. With former Championship clubs like Grimsby Town and Tranmere Rovers now involved, this tie is between relative minnows despite being in the same division. As I've mentioned several times before, The Wood have never played at this level so are kind of living the dream and taking each game as it comes. On attendance alone, they are the smallest club in division averaging just over 600 a game (a 92% increase on last season such is the step up in opposition). They are struggling on the pitch but are keeping their heads above water - just. The Cards, on the other hand, are far more established at this level and have started to turn results around after a bit of a wobble. They also won this competition three times during the '90s and made it to the final again in 2006 so have a fantastic record. It's also a bit of derby too with only a relatively short journey around the western side of the M25 separating them. (FA Trophy First Round, Saturday 12 December, 3pm. Ticket info)

7. Corinthian Casuals v Hungerford Town - the other London-based tie is a much more humble affair between clubs from the eighth and seventh tiers respectively. CCs are a very historic club formed when two of the oldest amateur clubs in the world (Corinthian and Casuals) merged in 1939. Corinthian were the inspiration for the foundation of Brazilian giants Corinthians and the two clubs maintain strong links to this day with a friendly between the two in Sao Paulo taking place at the beginning of this year. In the league, CCs are having a pretty good time of things in the Isthmian League Division 1 South and with games in hand are well placed to have a crack at the play-offs. Hungerford, however, are in with a shot at the Southern League title and will definitely start as favourites. (FA Trophy First Round, Saturday 12 December, 3pm. Club info)

8. Carshalton Athletic v Herne Bay - one of CCs south London and promotion rivals are Carshalton who after a turbulent time following relegation are mounting a serious promotion challenge to get back into the Isthmian Premier. Currently sitting in fourth, they welcome Herne Bay to Colston Avenue on Saturday for an important game. Just two points behind but with three games in hand, the Kent club represent the kind of strong opposition they'll need to beat to be considered as realistic contenders. (Isthmian League Division 1 South, Saturday 12 December, 3pm. Ticket info)

9. Colliers Wood United v Hartley Wintney - think you might prefer a bit of knockout cup football? Well it's also an FA Vase weekend too. This competition has reached its third round stage so we've still got 64 teams left. Not many from the London area remain but one who will be representing us proudly are CWU. Sadly I fear they won't get much further as the visitors are in fine form, topping the Combined Counties League with a seven-point lead. They last met back in August at the Wibbandune and Hartley won 3-1. (FA Vase Third Round, Saturday 12 December, 3pm. Club info)

10. Edgware Town v Ipswich Wanderers - elsewhere in the Vase, the Wares will also be looking to cause an upset and in my book have the better chance. Although playing a level below their Suffolk opponents, Edgware have been doing really well losing only once in the Spartan South Midlands League Division 1 all season. Ipswich are in the lower half of the Eastern Counties Premier and have lost as many as they've won. (FA Vase Third Round, Saturday 12 December, 3pm. Club info)


GET INVOLVED
If you're going to see a game, whether you're a local or a visitor, please let me know what you've been up to. If you're interested in reviewing a ground within the London area for this blog then get in touch. You might also want to have a go at writing a 'Top Ten' one week. I also very much welcome photos of your football travels.

Got any questions about visiting London? Don't hesitate to ask - be they football or more general travel/touristy queries.

You can contact TLFG through the comments section below or via FacebookTwitter or even by good old email.

Sunday 29 November 2015

TLFG: 30 November - 6 December 2015

Hello one and all and welcome to TLFG.

How has your week been? Enjoyed a game or two?

Mine has been notable for the two sides I follow picking up a couple of notable 1-0 wins.

First up I'd like to congratulate Harrow Borough on their surprise victory over Isthmian League leaders Dulwich Hamlet.

Compared to recent years, Boro are having a pretty decent season so it wasn't a total shock but the recent FA Trophy match between the sides at Earlsmead had seen the south Londoners win 3-0 so a repeat wouldn't have been unexpected. 

Shock results like this are one of the best things about being a Harrow supporter. It seems to be a mark of Boro squads that they get themselves up for the big games and then return to far more uninspiring fare soon after, as evidenced by the defeats to lowly VCD Athletic and north London rivals Wingate & Finchley which bookended the Dulwich result.

Elswhere, QPR also returned to winning ways with a well deserved albeit narrow win over Leeds United. Reports suggest the R's gave a far more accomplished performance than of late with star striker Charlie Austin coming off the bench on the hour to score the decisive goal with his first touch. 

Many fans, myself included, would be more than happy to see caretaker manager Neil Warnock continue in the job for at least the rest of the season but whether he or the club want that seems unclear with other names firmly in the frame.

This week, aside from the usual league action we've also got the second round of the FA Cup to look forward to.

This represents the final hurdle for League One, League Two and the few remaining non-league clubs before the big boys of the Premier League and Championship enter the draw.

For clubs like Welling United, the London area's only non-league side left in the competition, it could be a defining moment in their history.

UPDATE (30/11/15): SOUTH LONDON DOUBLE-HEADER

I have received word from the good people at the Dulwich Hamlet Supporters' Trust that a number of clubs in their part of town have come together to put on a two-game football feast this Saturday 5 December.

Starting at 1230pm you can watch the London Senior Trophy tie between Peckham Town and Tooting Bec for FREE at the Southwark Sports Ground on the edge of Dulwich Park. A match programme is being produced and a 50:50 draw is being held to raise funds for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.

Once that finishes, it's just a short ride on the P13 bus to Champion Hill for the Isthmian League game between Dulwich Hamlet and Needham Market. This game is being used to raise awareness of the issues around gambling addiction.

Enjoy your week.


LATEST TICKET NEWS
Please follow this link or click on the tab at the top of the page for all the information you need about how to get a ticket, what's currently available to non-members at London's biggest clubs and any other special offers or promotions which might be running.


THE WEEK AHEAD
There are over 80 matches in the London area over the next seven days so there's plenty to choose from whatever your budget.

However, please make sure you check with clubs before you travel just in case a game has been called off or venue has been changed. Also, please let me know if anything is wrong or missing.

Details on all of this week's games can be found on the following match maps. If you've never used them before, please note that when there is more than one match at a specific ground you'll only be able to see individual match pins if you zoom right in. If you don't, the pins obscure each other and you might miss them. To avoid this, you can also scroll down the list of games on the drop down menu at the top of the map page to make sure you get all the information. Games are listed from top to bottom in date order so Monday's games (yellow pin) will appear first and Sunday's (white pin) last. Games are also ranked in terms of status so the higher the division, the higher up the list they will appear on each day.

Also if you're unfamiliar with the English league structure I indicate the level at which an individual league sits in the national 'pyramid' with the Premier League at the top (Level 1) and various minor leagues at the bottom (Level 10). Typically a top level game will see crowds of anywhere between 20,000-60,000. These figures will gradually decline as you go down the leagues until you get to Levels 8-10 where attendances of 150 or less are most common.

It should also be noted that the top four levels are for fully professional teams. Level 5 has a mixture of professional and semi-professional teams, while Levels 6-10 will see most players paid but it will vary from no more than travel expenses at the bottom, right up to several hundred pounds a week at the top (e.g. clubs in the Conference South).

MIDWEEK MATCH MAP
Yellow pin - Monday fixtures
Green pin - Tuesday fixtures
Red pin - Wednesday fixtures
Purple pin - Thursday fixtures
Black pin - Friday fixtures




WEEKEND MATCH MAP
Blue pin - Saturday fixtures
White pin - Sunday fixtures



Next up is this week's TLFG match recommendations where I list a few games which I think could be worth a watch. If I miss one that you think should get a mention then add your own in the comments section below.

TLFG TOP 10

1. Arsenal v Sunderland - by the time you read this, the Gunners could well be top of the league. It all depends on the result of their Sunday afternoon game at Norwich which they should win. Up until a few days ago, this match against the Mackems would probably have been a formality but Arsenal have wobbled a bit of late and Sunderland have suddenly gone on a two-game winning streak as Sam Allardyce's methods have started to bear fruit. Arsene Wenger's charges should still win and rarely slip up in home games against the Black Cats but it did end all square back in May when they last met. (Premier League, Saturday 5 December, 3pm. Ticket info)

2. Brentford v MK Dons - after a poor start, the Bees sacked their manager and have steadily climbed the table to become London's top-ranked club in the Championship. Caretaker boss Lee Carsley has done a great job but doesn't want it full time and may well have been replaced by the time this game takes place. The visitors had been knocking on the door of the second tier for several seasons and finally made it up in May. Given the resources behind them I expected a much stronger challenge from the Buckinghamshire club but they have become relegation contenders rather than play-off candidates. Another win for Brentford looks likely. (Championship, Saturday 5 December, 3pm. Ticket info)

3. Millwall v Wycombe Wanderers - the FA Cup reaches its crucial second round stage this weekend which means all teams are just 90 minutes away from playing a Premier League club in January's third round. Probably the biggest tie in London is this one. The Lions continued their push for a place in the League One play-offs with an important win over Bury on Saturday. They should start as favourites as Wycombe play in the division below but they too are chasing promotion, are unbeaten in six and often push Millwall hard with games between the two tending to be close. Also, all adults tickets have been reduced to £15. (FA Cup Second Round, Saturday 5 December, 3pm. Ticket info)

4. Leyton Orient v Scunthorpe United there's a chance of a cupset at Brisbane Road where League Two play-off contenders Leyton Orient host the Iron from League One. The O's really should be firmly established among the division's leading pack by now but are being annoyingly inconsistent. They are, however, unbeaten in three - a run which has included tricky opponents like Plymouth and local rivals AFC Wimbledon. Scunthorpe built up some decent momentum in October but things have gone a bit awry of late and they will really hope to arrest their recent poor run here. The vast majority of adults tickets are also selling for £15. (FA Cup Second Round, Saturday 5 December, 3pm. Ticket info)

5. Barnet v Newport County at The Hive we have a game between a pair of League Two's strugglers. Both of these former non-league sides are in the bottom six so could do with the fillip of a good cup run and a draw against one of the nation's biggest clubs. Although the Welsh side are below Barnet in the table, their position is slightly misleading as they are draw specialists and haven't lost in nine games across all competitions. Replay anyone? Once again, adult tickets are £15 throughout the ground. (FA Cup Second Round, Saturday 5 December, 3pm. Ticket info)

6. Dagenham & Redbridge v Whitehawk - like the two sides above, the Daggers are also having a rough time towards the foot of League Two and could do with a morale-boosting win here. On paper they should see off Whitehawk without too much fuss as they play two levels below them but it's rarely that straightforward in the FA Cup. Not only are Dagenham a bit iffy, the Hawks are having a fine season progressing well in the league, FA Cup and FA Trophy. There's real cupset potential here. It's also on Sunday with adult tickets ranging from just £10-12 so it's a great chance to do a bit of groundhopping or see a second game if your team are playing on Saturday. (FA Cup Second Round, Sunday 6 December, 2pm. Ticket info)

7. Welling United v Carlisle United - of all the non-league clubs in the TLFG region which entered the FA Cup this season, the Wings are the last ones still standing. After seeing off Grays Athletic and Barwell in previous rounds, they find themselves facing a much sterner test in League Two promotion hopefuls Carlisle. The Cumbrians impressively beat Plymouth in the previous round and should start as strong favourites here despite another long journey south. Welling play in the division below, sitting just above the relegation places. They are winless in six in the league and will have to give the performance of their lives to make it through. This is also on Sunday, so another good chance to groundhop or see two games in a weekend. (FA Cup Second Round, Sunday 6 December, 2pm. Ticket info)

8. Wingate & Finchley v Billericay Town - despite their reputedly tiny budget and small fanbase, Wingate have, aside from one bad season, competed well in the Isthmian Premier since promotion in 2011. Things are going particularly well this time round with the club lying third as we move into December. In fact if they win their game in hand on leaders Dulwich, they'd even draw level with them. On Saturday they welcome Essex club Billericay who also find themselves in the top eight of what is a very congested table. Wingate aren't one of the division's most glamorous clubs and, like many others, don't get perhaps as much coverage as they should so if you don't fancy any of the above then consider this, especially if you're in north London. (Isthmian League Premier Division, Saturday 5 December, 3pm. Ticket info)

9. AFC Hornchurch v Bury Town - unfazed by their slightly surprising relegation last season, the Urchins' push for an immediate return to the top division of the Isthmian League is progressing well. With only three defeats from 21 games and with matches in hand on leaders Cray Wanderers which could put them top, things are looking rosy. This weekend they take on Bury Town who also fell into the eighth tier at the end of last season, again quite surprisingly. They too are doing well and are fifth, also with games in hand on the teams above them. It should be close. (Isthmian League Division 1 North, Saturday 5 December, 3pm. Ticket info)

10. Tooting & Mitcham United v Folkestone Invicta - sadly this recommendation is more about seeing the visitors than our local side. The Kent club are currently top dogs in the Isthmian League Division 1 South - four points clear, with a game in hand. They are averaging more than two goals a game and have the meanest defence in the division. Our beloved Terrors are having a much more unspectacular season, currently down in 18th but well ahead of the real strugglers. They also got a very creditable draw against second-placed Worthing in Saturday so can't be written off. It's fair to say the south London club have seen much better days but they are well worth a visit with one of the best non-league grounds in the capital and fans who will make you feel welcome. It's also only a short walk from Mitcham tram stop so it's pretty easy to get to too. (Isthmian League Division 1 South, Saturday 5 December, 3pm. Ticket info)


GET INVOLVED
If you're going to see a game, whether you're a local or a visitor, please let me know what you've been up to. If you're interested in reviewing a ground within the London area for this blog then get in touch. You might also want to have a go at writing a 'Top Ten' one week. I also very much welcome photos of your football travels.

Got any questions about visiting London? Don't hesitate to ask - be they football or more general travel/touristy queries.

You can contact TLFG through the comments section below or via FacebookTwitter or even by good old email.

Sunday 22 November 2015

TLFG: 23-29 November 2015

Hello there, hope you're well and welcome to the 191st edition of TLFG.

After a few weeks without a game, I enjoyed a nice bit of Friday night football over in Mile End with Dutch football writer Paul Baaijens (author of 'Match Days') who was over for one his regular London football weekends.

Paul, despite living in a great football nation, spends more time watching club football in England and Germany than he does at home because he finds the culture and history of the game in the respective countries a lot more engaging.

In my dealings with him, I've attempted to open his eyes to our non-league culture as well as helping him sate his passion for things at a more professional level.

So far I'd taken him to a cracking game between Dulwich Hamlet and Maidstone United and even got him the chance to take part in a training session with Bedfont & Feltham - he's quite useful with a ball too, being Dutch and all.

The Clapton Ultras were out in force in Mile End on Friday night
So on Friday, having been in town for little more than a couple of hours, I took him to the East End derby between Tower Hamlets and Clapton.

Regular readers may know that I've developed a soft spot for both over the last five years with the former (previously known as Bethnal Green United) being founded by a friend of a friend and the latter being one of the most historic clubs in London playing at the rundown but, in my eyes, magical Old Spotted Dog.

It's been a year or two since I'd watched the hosts but I last saw Clapton about six weeks ago on Non-League Day when they played out a 3-3 draw with local rivals Ilford in front of a huge crowd of nearly 800.

I'd never seen the Tons or their Ultras in action on the road so thought this could be a good chance to do so in a game looked forward to by both sets of fans.

The away supporters didn't disappoint, singing before, during and after. They were also very sporting, congratulating Tower Hamlets on their very lucky 1-0 win despite being battered for most of it. The official attendance of 382 was highly impressive for a ninth-tier game - the average crowd in the Essex Senior League is around 40-50.

Some have questioned how genuine the Ultras' support is or how long it will last but while it does, clubs and fans in this division should make the most of it. Tower Hamlets got their biggest payday for a while and were openly appreciative of the visitors' following who were not only sporting but also helped tidy the ground after the game - not the most joyous task at 10pm on a very chilly Friday night.

If you are interested in sampling the Clapton experience, the Forest Gate club have two home games this week against local rivals Barking on Tuesday and then FC Romania on Saturday - a game which could easily draw a 500+ crowd if the weather holds up.

Lastly from me, did you see that bizarre own goal in the Romford v Thurrock groundshare derby on Tuesday? It's gone viral over the last few days with over one million views. Here it is if you missed it - Thurrock's Kamarl Duncan is the unlucky player.




LATEST TICKET NEWS
Please follow this link or click on the tab at the top of the page for all the information you need about how to get a ticket, what's currently available to non-members at London's biggest clubs and any other special offers or promotions which might be running.


THE WEEK AHEAD
There are over 90 matches in the London area over the next seven days so there's plenty to choose from whatever your budget.

However, please make sure you check with clubs before you travel just in case a game has been called off or venue has been changed. Also, please let me know if anything is wrong or missing.

Details on all of this week's games can be found on the following match maps. If you've never used them before, please note that when there is more than one match at a specific ground you'll only be able to see individual match pins if you zoom right in. If you don't, the pins obscure each other and you might miss them. To avoid this, you can also scroll down the list of games on the drop down menu at the top of the map page to make sure you get all the information. Games are listed from top to bottom in date order so Monday's games (yellow pin) will appear first and Sunday's (white pin) last. Games are also ranked in terms of status so the higher the division, the higher up the list they will appear on each day.

Also if you're unfamiliar with the English league structure I indicate the level at which an individual league sits in the national 'pyramid' with the Premier League at the top (Level 1) and various minor leagues at the bottom (Level 10). Typically a top level game will see crowds of anywhere between 20,000-60,000. These figures will gradually decline as you go down the leagues until you get to Levels 8-10 where attendances of 150 or less are most common.

It should also be noted that the top four levels are for fully professional teams. Level 5 has a mixture of professional and semi-professional teams, while Levels 6-10 will see most players paid but it will vary from no more than travel expenses at the bottom, right up to several hundred pounds a week at the top (e.g. clubs in the Conference South).

MIDWEEK MATCH MAP
Yellow pin - Monday fixtures
Green pin - Tuesday fixtures
Red pin - Wednesday fixtures




WEEKEND MATCH MAP
Blue pin - Saturday fixtures
White pin - Sunday fixtures



Next up is this week's TLFG match recommendations where I list a few games which I think could be worth a watch. If I miss one that you think should get a mention then add your own in the comments section below.

TLFG TOP 10

1. Arsenal v Dinamo Zagreb - the Gunners could well have been sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League going into this game but suffered an unexpected 2-1 defeat at West Brom on Saturday, handing the honour instead to Leicester who continue to confound the pundits. The north London club would also normally expect a game like this to decide whether they finished top or second in their Champions League group but not this time. Their performance in Europe's top club competition has been very poor this season and they have to win just to keep a remote sniff of second alive. A draw between Bayern Munich and Olympiakos, the leading pair, in the other game will knock them out whatever happens at the Emirates. Let's also not forget that Dinamo are in a similar position to Arsenal too so still have something to play for themselves. (Champions League, Tuesday 24 November, 745pm. Ticket info)

2. Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea - the last month has been a really good one for Spurs with three wins and a draw in the Premier League and a victory over Anderlecht in Europe. Their latest outing on Sunday afternoon saw a comprehensive 4-1 thrashing of London rivals West Ham who had been having a pretty decent season themselves up until that point. If it wasn't for the inconvenience of an almost 5,000 mile round trip to Azerbaijan for a Europa League game on Thursday, Tottenham would probably be brimming with confidence ahead of another derby against this troubled Blues side. Chelsea did manage to finally get a win on Saturday but only by a goal to nil against Norwich but they too have a lengthy journey to Israel to contend with but it's two days earlier and will give them more recovery time. Given they are at home, you've got to fancy Tottenham in this one. (Premier League, Sunday 29 November, 12pm. Ticket info)

3. Queens Park Rangers v Leeds United - none of the games in the Championship are particularly enticing but this one should be worth a watch as a large crowd is expected. Managerless QPR suffered a heartbreaking injury time 1-0 defeat up at Middlesbrough on Friday night as their very underwhelming run continued. This game against fellow also rans Leeds should be competitive and represents a chance to see two clubs who really have fallen on hard times since their former Premier League heydays. Rangers were there as recently as last season but Leeds, probably the biggest club in the Football League, were regular title contenders and even made the Champions League semi-finals during the successful reign of David O'Leary (1998-2002). Large debts contributed greatly to them leaving the top flight in 2004 and plummet all the way down to League One in quick time. Now back in the Championship and with an eccentric Italian owner, things are still far from stable but with the combative Steve Evans recently installed in the manager's hotseat things might improve. (Championship, Saturday 28 November, 3pm. Ticket info)

4. Millwall v Bury - over in Bermondsey the Lions are enjoying a decent run right now and are well in with a shout of a League One play-off place which is the least that was expected of them this year. A 4-1 drubbing of Colchester on Saturday extended their unbeaten run to an impressive nine games in all competitions. As a result they are two points off the top six with a game in hand. Bury are in that leading group but have lost three of their last five and could well be there for the taking. (League One, Saturday 28 November, 3pm. Ticket info)

5. Leyton Orient v AFC Wimbledon only two points and one place separate these London rivals at the time of writing. Midweek games could see them swap places but a position in the top seven could well be up for grabs come kick-off. According to my records, this will be the first time the sides will have met since the Dons reformed so it's a historic moment. In their old guise, Wimbledon never lost against the O's and recorded an 6-2 away win the last time they played back in 1984. That could well change this time but it will be close. (League Two, Saturday 28 November, 3pm. Ticket info)

6. Boreham Wood v Tranmere Rovers - it's David v Goliath time in the National League on Saturday as the Wood, playing at this level for the first time, take on former second-tier side Tranmere who surprisingly fell out of the Football League last season. Probably the high point of Boreham Wood's season so far was winning the reverse fixture at Prenton Park back in August. Generally though it's been a struggle for the Hertfordshire club but they're still above the relegation zone and scrapping for every point. Tranmere have been indifferent at best and, as has been proven, can be beaten. (National League, Saturday 28 November, 3pm. Ticket info)

7. Dartford v Whitehawk - the rounds of the FA Trophy are coming thick and fast now and at this stage we welcome all the clubs from the National League's North and South divisions. Two of them from the South have been drawn against each other in this tie - always disappointing as a fan I think, missing out on playing someone new. The Darts came down from the division above at the start of the season and are simply trying to consolidate. Whitehawk, on the other hand, are a club on the up and are well placed for another promotion having enjoyed two over the last five seasons. Their progress has raised a few eyebrows though as it has been achieved by rich owners bankrolling the Brighton-based club in a way that many see as unsustainable - the fact they average crowds of just 262 would seem to bear that out. Imagine if they get to Wembley? (FA Trophy Third Qualifying Round, Saturday 28 November, 3pm. Ticket info)

8. Dulwich Hamlet v Margate - at Champion Hill we have a tie between two sides who battled for promotion out of the Isthmian Premier last season. Despite their considerable budget, Margate only just made it up via the play-offs, alongside county rivals Maidstone, beating Dulwich at the semi-final stage. You could say that there is some unfinished business for the hosts who are determined not to miss out again and have opened a five-point lead at the top so far this season. Margate have found the going somewhat tougher at the higher level, winning only four of their 18 games thus far. A big and partisan home crowd could make it uncomfortable for them once again. (FA Trophy Third Qualifying Round, Saturday 28 November, 3pm. Ticket info)

9. Hampton & Richmond Borough v Maidstone United - H&R are also among the promotion contenders in the Isthmian Premier this season and they welcome the aforementioned Stones for another mouthwatering contest. The hosts climbed up to second a few weeks ago but draws rather than defeats have seen them slip back a little. Having already taken four points off Dulwich this season and scoring five goals in the process they are good enough to beat anyone in the division on their day. Maidstone, unlike Margate, have enjoyed a much smoother transition to life in the sixth tier climbing to second while attracting the highest attendances in the division. Such support, a state of the art stadium and a fine team mean they're more than capable of going up and competing again so they might well regard this cup as an unwanted distraction. (FA Trophy Third Qualifying Round, Saturday 28 November, 3pm. Club info)

10. Kingstonian v Truro City - after overcoming Dorchester in Monday's replay, the K's have drawn another West Country side. On paper, the Cornish team present a sterner test as they too are promotion contenders in the National League South. Kingstonian are no mugs though and climbed up to fourth in the Isthmian Premier with a 2-1 win at Lewes on Saturday. However, with only one defeat in 13 games in all competitions, the Tinners should prove to be a tough nut to crack. Whatever happens, I should imagine the K's players and fans won't want a draw as a midweek replay and 500-mile round trip would be a bit of pain. (FA Trophy Third Qualifying Round, Saturday 28 November, 3pm. Ticket info)


GET INVOLVED
If you're going to see a game, whether you're a local or a visitor, please let me know what you've been up to. If you're interested in reviewing a ground within the London area for this blog then get in touch. You might also want to have a go at writing a 'Top Ten' one week. I also very much welcome photos of your football travels.

Got any questions about visiting London? Don't hesitate to ask - be they football or more general travel/touristy queries.

You can contact TLFG through the comments section below or via FacebookTwitter or even by good old email.

Sunday 15 November 2015

TLFG: 16-22 November 2015

With the international break taking place at the moment, it's been a pretty quiet week in London on the footballing front.

Fulham sacked boss Kit Symons last Sunday, meaning QPR and the Cottagers are both currently looking for new managers. According to the bookies, former Leicester City gaffer Nigel Pearson seems to be the leading candidate for both clubs although I'm sure most R's fans would be more than happy to give caretaker Neil Warnock another go after his previous success at the club.

The biggest match this week has to be the international friendly between England and France at Wembley. 

Prior to the terrible events in Paris on Friday night, I would probably have paid little attention to this as international friendlies for the Three Lions have become a pretty drab affair even when the opponents are one of their biggest rivals.

It will be interesting to see how the crowd are affected both in terms of turnout and how and what they sing. Will England take it easy on their opponents? Will France be subdued or will both sides give it a really good go?

I've got a few days off this week and had flirted with the idea of going but decided early last week to go and visit family in Somerset instead. To be honest, I'm glad I don't have a ticket as I think the atmosphere could be a bit uncomfortable but here's hoping I'm wrong.

Interestingly there is also a fans' match between England and France at Bedfont & Feltham on Monday evening at 745pm with admission free to all.

I do, however, plan to take in a bit more Essex Senior League action on Friday night when I take Paul Baaijens, the Dutch author of 'Match Days', to the East End derby between Tower Hamlets and Clapton at Mile End Stadium. Over the last five years I've developed a bit of a soft spot for both sides but have never seen them play each other - it will also be interesting to see what the Ultras get up to at an away match. Maybe see you there.

LATEST TICKET NEWS
Please follow this link or click on the tab at the top of the page for all the information you need about how to get a ticket, what's currently available to non-members at London's biggest clubs and any other special offers or promotions which might be running.


THE WEEK AHEAD
There are over 80 matches in the London area over the next seven days so there's plenty to choose from whatever your budget.

However, please make sure you check with clubs before you travel just in case a game has been called off or venue has been changed. Also, please let me know if anything is wrong or missing.

Details on all of this week's games can be found on the following match maps. If you've never used them before, please note that when there is more than one match at a specific ground you'll only be able to see individual match pins if you zoom right in. If you don't, the pins obscure each other and you might miss them. To avoid this, you can also scroll down the list of games on the drop down menu at the top of the map page to make sure you get all the information. Games are listed from top to bottom in date order so Monday's games (yellow pin) will appear first and Sunday's (white pin) last. Games are also ranked in terms of status so the higher the division, the higher up the list they will appear on each day.

Also if you're unfamiliar with the English league structure I indicate the level at which an individual league sits in the national 'pyramid' with the Premier League at the top (Level 1) and various minor leagues at the bottom (Level 10). Typically a top level game will see crowds of anywhere between 20,000-60,000. These figures will gradually decline as you go down the leagues until you get to Levels 8-10 where attendances of 150 or less are most common.

It should also be noted that the top four levels are for fully professional teams. Level 5 has a mixture of professional and semi-professional teams, while Levels 6-10 will see most players paid but it will vary from no more than travel expenses at the bottom, right up to several hundred pounds a week at the top (e.g. clubs in the Conference South).

MIDWEEK MATCH MAP
Yellow pin - Monday fixtures
Green pin - Tuesday fixtures
Red pin - Wednesday fixtures
Purple pin - Thursday fixtures
Black pin - Friday fixtures




WEEKEND MATCH MAP
Blue pin - Saturday fixtures
White pin - Sunday fixtures



Next up is this week's TLFG match recommendations where I list a few games which I think could be worth a watch. If I miss one that you think should get a mention then add your own in the comments section below.

TLFG TOP 10

1. England v France - this was looking like being another fairly dull Wembley friendly, albeit between two of the world's big teams, until the terrible events of Friday night in Paris. Initial statements gave the impression that this match would be cancelled but after discussions with all the relevant authorities it is going ahead. Although nothing is at stake, it will be a very poignant occasion and it will be interesting to observe the mood of the crowd. Will people be put off from going? Will more tickets get sold? At the moment, there are still some available. From a footballing point of view, England could do with a win. Not only did they lose comfortably to Spain on Friday, they haven't beaten France since 1997 so are well overdue a victory. (International friendly, Tuesday 17 November, 8pm. Ticket info)

2. Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United - with the international break out the way, the Premier League returns at the weekend. On Sunday we have this derby between two clubs looking to force their way into the Champions League places. In recent years Spurs have managed to crack the top-four cartel but West Ham haven't got anywhere near. This season, however, they're both right up there in fifth and sixth just three points behind the elite group at the top. Historically Tottenham have the better record but in recent years wins have been fairly evenly distributed between the two. The fan rivalry is also pretty intense with little love lost on either side. (Premier League, Sunday 22 November, 4pm. Ticket info)

3. Watford v Manchester United - of the teams promoted from the Championship last season, runners-up Watford are faring the best. Sitting comfortably in midtable above much bigger clubs like Aston Villa, Chelsea and Newcastle, things couldn't be going much better. On Saturday they welcome the Red Devils to Vicarage Road for the first time in nine years and unsurprisingly it's a sell out. Although this is far from the strongest Man Utd side to have graced a pitch over the last few years, Louis van Gaal's charges are still more than good enough to win here. The Hornets are also on a nine-game losing streak against the Mancunian club with their last win coming all the way back in 1986 when Graham Taylor was in charge. (Premier League, Saturday 21 November, 1245pm. Ticket info)

4. Chelsea v Norwich City normally this game wouldn't get a listing as the outcome would be a foregone conclusion (Chelsea have won five of the last six meetings at Stamford Bridge, scoring an average of almost four goals a game) but this year anything could happen. On paper, the Blues should win but somehow in late November they find themselves a point and a place below last season's Championship play-off final winners. In fact if results go against them, they could mathematically end the day in the bottom three which would surely be terminal for Jose Mourinho's reign as manager. (Premier League, Saturday 21 November, 3pm. Ticket info)

5. AFC Wimbledon v Wycombe Wanderers - nothing is taking my fancy in the Championship or League One this week so next we have what I would class as a bit of derby between two sides with promotion ambitions in League Two. The Dons have been all about consolidation since promotion from the Conference in 2011 but this year they are well placed for a crack at the top seven being just a point adrift in what is a very congested table. Wycombe suffered the heartbreak of a play-off final penalty shoot-out defeat last season so will hope to go one better this time. They are on level points with the hosts so we should see a pretty even game. The clubs are also managed by Neal Ardley and Gareth Ainsworth who were both part of the Wimbledon squad which last competed in the Premier League back in 2000. (League Two, Saturday 21 November, 3pm. Ticket info)

6. Boreham Wood v Northwich Victoria - the rest of this week's Top 10 will be dedicated to FA competitions as we have games in all three of their main cups - firstly we have this FA Cup replay. The Wood should start this game as overwhelming favourites and it's a little embarrassing that they need a replay at all given they play three divisions above their opponents but it is what it is and that's the beauty of the FA Cup. Northwich, one of the founding members of what is now the National League and former FA Trophy winners, have fallen on hard times over the last few years but currently top the Northern Premier League Division 1 North so have momentum and shouldn't be underestimated. (FA Cup First Round Replay, Monday 16 November, 745pm. Ticket info)

7. Kingstonian v Dorchester Town - in south-west London the same night we have an FA Trophy replay to look forward to. These two seventh-tier clubs produced an entertaining 2-2 draw in the original tie on Saturday so hopefully we'll get a few goals here too. The sides play in the top divisions of the parallel Isthmian and Southern Leagues and are well matched with very similar records so far this season. For both, this competition represents a much more realistic chance of getting to a Wembley final although it would still be a hell of an achievement. The K's, however, do have a glorious history in the competition having enjoyed back-to-back wins in 1999 and 2000. (FA Trophy Second Qualifying Round Replay, Monday 16 November, 745pm. Ticket info)

8. Sutton Common Rovers v Beckenham Town - in the FA Vase we've reached the Second Round which means of the 572 teams who entered, we're down to 128 already. At Gander Green Lane we've got an all south-London affair to enjoy on Friday night. SCR moved back to their home borough at the start of the season to groundshare with the much more famous Sutton United following the laying of their new 3G pitch over the summer. Results in the Combined Counties League have been a little underwhelming so far but they have made progress in the Vase with wins over former landlords Cobham and also Worthing United. Beckenham, from the parallel Southern Counties East League, are doing rather better in the league and could even challenge for the title if they win their games in hand. On paper - away win. (FA Vase Second Round, Friday 20 November, 745pm. Ticket info)

9. Colliers Wood United v Loxwood - not a million miles to the north the following day, CWU take on Sussex club Loxwood from the Southern Combination. As with the Kingstonian game, the sides from parallel leagues have quite similar records although the visitors' is a bit better. Both have netted over 40 goals this season so hopefully there'll be plenty at the Wibbandune on Saturday. (FA Vase Second Round, Saturday 21 November, 3pm. Ticket info)

10. Sporting Bengal United v Sleaford Town - if you're in the East End on Saturday, get yourself over to the Mile End Stadium to see if SBU can make it to the last 64. The Vase is for clubs in the ninth and 10th tiers of the English game meaning these two ninth-tier sides have a reasonable chance of getting through another round or two yet. Sleaford from the United Counties League will start as favourites but SBU have been impressive in the Vase so far, scoring 15 goals in their four previous games. (FA Vase Second Round, Saturday 21 November, 3pm. Club info)


GET INVOLVED
If you're going to see a game, whether you're a local or a visitor, please let me know what you've been up to. If you're interested in reviewing a ground within the London area for this blog then get in touch. You might also want to have a go at writing a 'Top Ten' one week. I also very much welcome photos of your football travels.

Got any questions about visiting London? Don't hesitate to ask - be they football or more general travel/touristy queries.

You can contact TLFG through the comments section below or via FacebookTwitter or even by good old email.