Greetings one and all and welcome to this week's edition of TLFG.
How has your week been?
My hopes of going to watch QPR v Actonians on Wednesday were dashed by a family illness but it proved to be a lucky escape as the A's failed to 'show up' and went 4-0 down shortly after half-time with a performance few would have seen coming.
They ultimately fought back to make it 5-3 but the Hoops and their fans went home much the happier.
The one thing I can offer by way of mitigation was the absence of Actonians' star player Natsumi Kanno with an injury but that shouldn't have made that big a difference.
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| This year's Non-League Day is fast approaching |
With my time off work coming to an end, I finally managed to get to a game on Saturday - the West London derby between Hayes & Yeading United and Hanwell Town in the Southern League.
In theory, the Skyex Stadium is really easy to get to from Shepherd's Bush.
I simply need to walk to the end of my road and get on a bus which goes straight there.
However, on a Saturday, the seven-mile journey along Uxbridge Road through Acton, Ealing, Hanwell and Southall took over an hour.
Leaving home at 130pm, I arrived at the ground just as the players were walking out onto the pitch!
The game itself was typically tight for a derby and saw H&YU score early and have the better of the first half, whilst Hanwell did better after the break.
Despite their best efforts, they couldn't find a breakthrough and Hayes & Yeading held on for the 1-0 win.
It was good to see a few Newcastle United fans, in town for Sunday's EFL Cup Final, attend the game as a result of their historical links to Hanwell Town.
Next up for Hanwell is a home game against other local rivals Harrow Borough and there's half a chance I could get to that one.
Failing that, I'll be off to the Women's League Cup Final between Arsenal and Chelsea at Selhurst Park on Sunday.
A record number of tickets have already been sold but there are still a few left if you want to go.
Have a great week.
THE WEEK AHEAD
The highlights of the next few days include games in the Premier League, EFL, National League, Women's League Cup and many other games in our local non-league and women's competitions.
As always, please make sure you check with clubs before you travel just in case a game has been called off or the venue or kick-off time has changed - this is highly possible for some of the lower non-league clubs. 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 (orange 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.
MIDWEEK MATCH MAP
Monday fixtures - yellow pin
Tuesday fixtures - green pin
Wednesday fixtures - turquoise pin
Thursday fixtures - purple pin
Friday fixtures - black pin
WEEKEND MATCH MAP
Saturday fixtures - blue pin
Saturday fixtures - blue pin
Sunday fixtures - orange pin
TLFG DAILY DIGEST
In the following section, I list, by day, 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 27 February
Premier League 2
There are some really good options in this U21 league on Monday evening with Chelsea's match against Arsenal at Kingsmeadow topping the bill. Elsewhere, West Ham United entertain Brighton at Rush Green. If you're prepared to travel beyond London's northern boundary, then Spurs take on Crystal Palace at Stevenage's ground too. Admission is £5 at all three
A bit further afield
Merstham v Chipstead @745pm - once again, if you're prepared to travel a bit beyond London's outer edges then you could treat yourself to this Surrey derby in the Isthmian League. A short walk from Merstham station, this eighth-tier match is very easy to get to
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Tuesday 28 February
FA Cup Fifth Round
Fulham v Leeds United @745pm - after beating Championship sides Hull City and Sunderland in the previous two rounds, the Cottagers face Premier League opposition for the first time in this season's competition. With top-flight sides often rotating their squads in the FA Cup, it's hard to predict what kind of game we'll get. A lot will depend on the sides' league priorities and with Leeds struggling, it could well be them that make the most changes. Given their current form, Fulham are definitely the favourites here and could be dark horses to win the whole thing. Tickets are available
League Two
AFC Wimbledon v Stevenage @745pm - when it looked as if the Dons were closing in on the play-off places, their form deserted them. Now five without a win after losing at struggling Gillingham, a midtable finish now looks the most likely. Talking of wobbles, Stevenage are definitely having theirs. After a great start, they were pushing Leyton Orient hard in the title race. However, Saturday's loss to Tranmere means they're now 14 points behind them but still clinging on to third which would see them go up automatically. Given how truly awful they've been in recent seasons, it's almost unthinkable that they're in contention at all. Tickets
National League
Barnet v Oldham Athletic @745pm - the Bees ended their three game losing run with an emphatic 4-1 win over Aldershot to move up to fourth. Now six points behind Woking, who dropped points against Wealdstone, a place in the top three is in their sights. Former Premier League side Oldham are spending their first season in non-league football and begun really badly but they're climbing the table fast and aren't the write-offs they previously seemed to be. Tickets
Boreham Wood v Dorking Wanderers @745pm - the Wood's 2-0 win over Scunthorpe United on Saturday was their first in a while and put them back on the edge of the play-off places. Newly promoted Dorking have struggled to establish themselves in the fifth tier and are just a point above the relegation zone. A home win looks likely. Tickets
National League South
Hampton & Richmond Borough v Tonbridge Angels @745pm - the Beavers picked up an absolutely crucial three points against Dulwich Hamlet on Saturday which saw them leapfrog the south London club and climb to 18th. Still only three points above the relegation zone, the wins need to keep coming. Kent club Tonbridge should be a different proposition as they're chasing a play-off spot
Southern League Premier South
Hanwell Town v Harrow Borough @745pm - after narrowly losing the derby match at Hayes & Yeading on Saturday, they follow it up with another derby against another local rival. With Harrow struggling, defeat here could see the out-of-form Geordies start to get sucked into the relegation battle which never looked likely earlier in the season. Boro are really finding hard to win at the moment but have picked up some notable draws, most recently at third-placed Chesham on Saturday
Isthmian League South Central
Tooting & Mitcham United v Walton & Hersham @745pm - with the Terrors bottom and W&H trying to chase down Basingstoke for the title, this match is of huge importance at either end of the table. Although things look bad for Tooting, they're actually unbeaten in four and might not be the pushovers that the table suggests they might be
Essex Senior League
Buckhurst Hill v Woodford Town @745pm - undoubtedly the biggest game of the day in the ninth tier is the first ever Roding Valley Derby in north-east London. The hosts are new to this level and have, according to a friend who went there on Friday, a good ground. Easily walkable from the Central Line station of the same name, this should be well worth a watch. Up in fourth, the visitors should start as favourites
CCL Division 1
FC Deportivo Galicia v Eversley & California @745pm - one of the most entertaining sides in the 10th tier, FCD finally went top on Saturday after winning at AFC Aldermaston. Averaging nearly three goals a game, their games are rarely dull and certainly look like ones to watch this season. The visitors are down in midtable and should be beaten
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Wednesday 1 March
Premier League
Arsenal v Everton @745pm - two points clear at the top after their win over Leicester, this match against the relegation-threatened Toffees is their crucial game in hand over second placed Manchester City. Win it and they go five points clear, giving them some breathing space. Although down in the bottom three, Everton famously beat the Gunners at the start of February in new boss Sean Dyche's first game so they know what's required to beat them. Tickets are not available
SCEFL Premier
Erith & Belvedere v Holmesdale @745pm - every club has a sticky patch during the season and it seems the previously all-conquering Deres are suffering theirs now. Three games without a win, their lead at the top has been reduced to 15 points and with their nearest challengers having two games in hand, that could come down to nine. Failing to win the title would represent one of the biggest collapses in football history and it's highly improbable but if they come unstuck against lowly Holmesdale, then questions could start to be asked
ECL Division 1 South
Sporting Bengal United v Frenford @745pm - after winning the Mile End Derby against Tower Hamlets, SBU followed it up with a draw at Barkingside to stay in the top six. Next up they face another club from the Ilford area but this one is top. Frenford are currently nine points clear after their win at Cannons Wood
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Thursday 2 March
SCYFL Olympian
West Essex v Heybridge Swifts @745pm - I had dig deep to find anything on Thursday and the best I could find is this U18 game at Wadham Lodge in Walthamstow. Whether they play in the main stadium or on the 3G pitch is unclear but this is pretty much all there is
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Friday 3 March
Premier League 2
Monday provided us with a fine selection of U21 games and so does Friday. Arsenal welcome Liverpool to Boreham Wood, Fulham host Tottenham at Motspur Park and West Ham receive a visit from league leaders Manchester City at Rush Green. Admission prices vary but it will be no more than £5. UPDATE - Arsenal's game against Liverpool has been moved to 6 March
Essex Senior League
Woodford Town v Little Oakley @745pm - there are three non-league games on offer but this ninth-tier one should draw the biggest crowd. Woodford could be third by the time this kicks-off whilst the visitors are seventh at the time of writing
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Saturday 4 March
Premier League
Arsenal v AFC Bournemouth @3pm - with the Gunners trying to hold on to top spot and the Cherries trying to avoid the drop, both have plenty to play for. Apart from current form, the chances of Bournemouth winning look slim as they've only beaten Arsenal once in their entire history. When they last played in August, Mikel Arteta's side won 3-0. Tickets are not available to non-members
Chelsea v Leeds United @3pm - the Blues' disappointing season continued with defeat to bitter rivals Spurs at the THS on Sunday lunchtime. The loss leaves them closer to the relegation zone than the top four, putting even more pressure on beleaguered boss Graham Potter. Leeds are fighting relegation but picked up a vital win over bottom club Southampton on Saturday. Lose this one, and Mr Potter will be in serious trouble. Tickets are not available
Championship
Millwall v Norwich City @3pm - with 10 points from their last five games, these sides are in similar form and looking to make sure of a play-off place. With four of those points coming from games against the top two, the Lions are more than a threat to anyone at the moment. However, with only one defeat in 11 against Millwall, the Canaries appear to be a bit of a bogey team. Tickets
Watford v Preston North End @3pm - a narrow defeat at Sheffield United saw the Hornets drop out of the play-off places in what is becoming an increasingly tight promotion race. Unbeaten in three, PNE are five points behind Watford and won't have given up their hopes of grabbing a play-off spot either. Tickets
League Two
AFC Wimbledon v Mansfield Town @3pm - with Stevenage on Tuesday and the play-off chasing Stags on Saturday, it looks like being a challenging week for the Dons. Mansfield aren't playing in midweek whilst some of their rivals are so they could've lost their place in the top seven by the time this gets underway. The reverse fixture in August produced a 5-2 win for the club from Nottinghamshire. Tickets
Leyton Orient v Swindon Town @3pm - with only five defeats from 34 games, it's been a great season for the table-topping O's. Sixteen points clear of fourth, League One is now within touching distance of the east London club. Former Premier League club Swindon still have some work to do to get a play-off place but took a point off Orient the last time they played. Tickets
Sutton United v Crewe Alexandra @3pm - three wins on the bounce have propelled the U's up to ninth and back into play-off contention. Their latest win at Newport County allowed Crewe to pass the Welsh club in lower midtable. Now unbeaten in five, the Cheshire club's last defeat came against leaders Leyton Orient. Tickets
National League
Bromley v Notts County @3pm - a draw at Eastleigh, making it two without a win, saw the Ravens miss their chance to return to the play-off places. They have another chance in midweek when they travel to Torquay but the focus of most of their attention will be this huge match on Saturday. Notts County are top but suffered only their second defeat of the season on Saturday when they lost at home to Dagenham & Redbridge. With Wrexham only two points behind and with two games in hand, they can't afford many more slip-ups if they're to secure that one automatic promotion spot. A big crowd is expected so I'd strongly advise buying tickets in advance
Dagenham & Redbridge v York City @3pm - as mentioned above, the Daggers made all the headlines on Saturday with their highly impressive victory at Notts County. That made it three wins from five for the east London club and they're now three points off seventh. After a poor run, York have picked up four points from their last two games but are still very much in the battle to avoid relegation
Wealdstone v Altrincham @3pm - just a point apart in midtable, these two still have an outside chance of making the top seven. The Stones edged to a 1-0 win at Moss Lane back in November and it could be a similar story here
National League South
Dulwich Hamlet v St Albans City @3pm - despite having a pretty underwhelming season, crowds at Champion Hill remain amazingly strong. Another defeat at Hampton & Richmond on Saturday left them bottom of the division's form table but this match could well see another sell-out crowd of 3,000. St Albans are usually there or thereabouts and sit just outside the play-off places Given the large crowds, Dulwich are one of the only non-league clubs in London that I'd strongly advise buying in advance for. I'd also recommend arriving at least 30 minutes before kick-off to secure a spot with a good view. Tickets
Isthmian League Premier Division
Hornchurch v Lewes @3pm - the Urchins' 2-0 win at Cray left them one point behind leaders Bishop's Stortford with a game in hand. Although back in 10th, the Rooks have games in hand on most of those above them so they could find themselves in the top four if they were to win them. Also a very well supported side, the Sussex club could bring a few with them
Isthmian League South Central
Chertsey Town v Northwood @3pm - the Curfews missed the chance to move into the top four when a last-minute goal saw Guernsey salvage a 3-3 draw against the Surrey club on their big trip to the Channel Islands. After their recent wobble, Northwood managed a 3-1 win over Ashford Town to move back into the top three
Essex Senior League
Barking v Ilford @3pm - there aren't many top-of-the-table clashes or relegation six-pointers in the ninth tier so this local derby in east London is my pick at this level. Sixth and 12th at the time of writing, this should be close
SCEFL Division 1
FC Elmstead v Snodland Town @3pm - there aren't any obvious humdingers at this level either so head to Sutton Athletic's ground where leaders Snodland pay a visit
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Sunday 5 March
Women's League Cup Final
Arsenal v Chelsea @3pm - the first major bit of silverware in the women's game comes up for grabs at Selhurst Park on Sunday. The Gunners are the most successful team in the competition's history but they haven't won it since 2018. The Blues, on the other hand, have made the last three finals and won two of them. Manchester City beat them at Plough Lane last season but they look like winning the title back as they're in great form and beat Arsenal 2-0 in the FA Cup on Sunday. A record number of tickets have already been sold but there are still a few left if you want to go
FA Women's Championship
Charlton Athletic v Southampton @2pm - with all our other local WSL teams playing away, the next best game on offer is this second-tier game between the Addicks and the third-placed Saints. The match is being played at The Valley and tickets are available
Crystal Palace v Bristol City @2pm - the Eagles picked up a useful win over struggling Sheffield United on Sunday to keep themselves in the top six. Despite being one of the best clubs in the Championship, City got destroyed 8-1 at home by Manchester City in the FA Cup to show once again the huge gulf in class between the two divisions. The visitors badly need to bounceback with a win here to keep themselves in the title hunt
London City Lionesses v Sheffield United @2pm - if they do slip up then title rivals LCL will have a big chance to capitalise. As previously mentioned, the Blades are having a poor season and should be beaten
FAWNL Cup Semi-Final
Watford v Wolverhampton Wanderers @2pm - in the third tier we have a very interesting looking match between the side currently third in the Southern Premier against the team in second in the Northern Premier. Being played at Wealdstone's ground, the winners will play either Nottingham Forest or Portsmouth
FAWNL Division 1 South East
Hashtag United v Norwich City @2pm - the Tags have been odds-on favourites to win this division for what seems like months. However, they lost 4-0 at home to their nearest rivals AFC Wimbledon on Sunday, a result which stunned most regular watchers of this division.. The Dons have a game in hand against London Seaward in late March which if won could leave them just two points behind. In other words, Hashtag can't really afford many more mistakes. Norwich are fourth and could make things difficult
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 in the London area for this blog then get in touch. I also very much welcome photos of your football travels.
NEED HELP?
Got any questions about visiting London? Don't hesitate to ask - be they football or more general travel/touristy queries. I do not charge for this advice like some other sites so don't hold back!
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