Greetings one and all and welcome to the latest edition of TLFG.
Apologies for the delay but I've had a busy weekend at work and various other things have cropped up.
To further complicate things, the fixture backlog in some of our local non-league divisions was further complicated on Monday by some more postponements because of the bad weather.
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| A few tickets remain for Sunday's game |
As a result, I've had to make some significant revisions to the match maps and may well have missed a few so please let me know if I have.
Consequently, it's just match maps from me for now so apologies again.
Have a great week - there's absolutely loads to choose from.
UPDATE - I've now written a preview for Saturday and Sunday's games, see below.
THE WEEK AHEAD
The highlights of the next few days include games in the Premier League, EFL, National League, Women's Super League 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
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 WEEKEND PREVIEW
In the following section, I list what are in my opinion the most notable games of the weekend and give some brief reasons for my choice. Check the maps above for kick-off times, ticket info and directions.Saturday 15 April
Premier League
Chelsea v Brighton & Hove Albion @3pm - well this should have been the Graham Potter derby but he got sacked recently so that's not happening any more. Frank Lampard is now in temporary charge of the Blues instead and his second bite at the cherry has begun with two consecutive defeats. After a fine season, it's the Seagulls who are pushing for a place in Europe and they're unbeaten in four against Chelsea. However, they've never won at Stamford Bridge so they've got a great chance to make a bit of history here. Only hospitality tickets remain
Tottenham Hotspur v AFC Bournemouth @3pm - a game of some significance at either end of the table could produce an entertaining spectacle. Spurs beat in-form Brighton last time out to stay in touch with the top four. The Cherries, on the other hand, have won three of their last five to move out of the relegation zone but defeat here could put them right back in it. Tickets are only available to members
Championship
Millwall v Preston North End @3pm - the Lions are now winless in four but are still hanging on to a play-off spot - just. PNE sit outside the top six but are on level points with them and Blackburn so it's desperately close. Millwall won the reverse fixture 4-2 and are unbeaten in seven (winning five) against the Lancashire club so that makes them marginal favourites for me. Tickets
QPR v Coventry City @3pm - the R's were seemingly in freefall and heading for League One until Monday when they came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with West Brom at The Hawthorns. It was only a point, and they're still in big trouble, but it showed they've still got some fight. The Sky Blues are just ahead of the Baggies in the table and are still in the hunt for a play-off spot but they've only won one of their last five and haven't triumphed at Loftus Road since 2007. Tickets
Watford v Bristol City @3pm - currently 12th and 13th, these two probably won't make the play-offs. The Hornets, known for being trigger happy when it comes to firing managers, actually issued a statement on Wednesday saying that they weren't sacking Chris Wilder after only appointing him on 7 March. The Robins have only won two of their last 10 against Watford but this could go either way. Tickets
League Two
Sutton United v Leyton Orient @3pm - the U's 3-1 defeat at Bradford left them nine points adrift of the play-off places with five games to go. If their now slim hopes of getting promoted aren't to be snuffed out then they'll almost certainly have to win this derby. Sadly for them, the O's are top and trying to make sure of promotion. If the east London club do win and other results go their way, then they'll be a whisker away from returning to League One. Tickets
National League
Barnet v Wrexham @1245pm - there are some cracking games in the fifth tier on Saturday. The Bees have been in the play-off places for a while but their position is looking a bit vulnerable after going four games without a win. They still have a six-point cushion to defend which should be enough but they'll do well to get anything here as Wrexham are top and in a big battle for the title with Notts County. Last time they played in October, the clubs produced arguably the game of the season which the Welsh club ultimately won 7-5. Hopefully we'll get something equally dramatic. Tickets are on sale but seem to be very scarce
Boreham Wood v Wealdstone @3pm - if Barnet do lose, then The Wood will move above them on goal difference if they win this derby against the Stones. As two of the smaller clubs in the division, they've definitely punched above their weight this season. The hosts often challenge for a play-off place so it's not unusual to see them up there. Since returning to this level in 2020, Wealdstone haven't finished above 16th so ending up in the top-half would be a notable achievement. Tickets
National League South
Dulwich Hamlet v Taunton Town @3pm - the Hamlet were seconds away from a win at Hemel Hempstead on Monday but a late goal saw them have to settle for a point. As a result, they're now three points above the relegation zone but have played more than three of the bottom four clubs so are still in trouble. Three consecutive wins have pretty much secured Taunton's survival following their promotion from the Southern League. Another close to sell-out crowd is expected so if you do want to go, you're strongly advised to buy tickets in advance
Hampton & Richmond Borough v Weymouth @3pm - the Beevers host struggling Weymouth and can do the Hamlet a favour by beating them. Just behind Taunton, a win would also pretty much secure their place in the division next season too
Isthmian League Premier
Aveley v Horsham @3pm - it's last-chance saloon for both of these teams. The Millers need to win to stay in the title race whilst the visitors will miss out on a play-off place if they lose. Aveley won the League Cup last week so they're on for the double
Hornchurch v Bowers & Pitsea @3pm - not far from Parkside, the Urchins will also drop out of the title race if they lose this game. Fellow Essex club B&P have to win or they will be relegated - another huge game
Isthmian League South Central
Walton & Hersham v Southall @3pm - after thrashing title rivals Basingstoke 5-1 at the start of April, the Swans would now appear to be marginal favourites for the one automatic promotion place. However, they can't shake off the Hampshire club who have returned to winning ways since then. Although the 'All are down in 12th, they did beat W&H 2-0 earlier in the season so they can't be written off
CCL Premier South
Raynes Park Vale v Jersey Bulls @3pm - RPV are engaged in a battle to the death with Badshot Lea for the title. They are currently top but with themselves and the Baggies both playing on Thursday, they could've swapped places by the time this kicks off. Jersey are third and simply have to win this or their promotion hopes will end
ECL Division 1 South
Frenford v Basildon Town @3pm - the hosts have been top for a long time but they're still only four points clear. Basildon are third and huge threat to Frenford as they have two games in hand and will be only two points behind if they win this
MCFL Premier
Pitshanger Dynamo v Clapton CFC @230pm - CCFC have been top for a while and if they win and other results go their way, they will be MCFL champions on Saturday. For that to happen, Shepherds Bush and Indian Gymkhana will both have to lose. The Bushmen also have a midweek game, which if lost could give them the title but if the west London club keep winning, then Geoff Ocran's team will get another chance on Saturday when they make their big return to the Old Spotted Dog. The OSD is London's oldest football ground and the fans have spent lots of time and money making it ready to host men's matches so it would be fitting if they won the title the same day
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Sunday 16 April
Premier League
West Ham United v Arsenal @2pm - with seven points from their last four games, the Hammers have climbed up to 14th but are still only three points above the relegation zone. David Moyes' side have a Europa Conference League game against Gent in Belgium on Thursday which could act as a bit of a distraction ahead of the visit of the leaders. The Gunners blew a commanding to 2-0 against Liverpool in their last match and had to settle for a 2-2 draw. They're still six points clear but with second placed Manchester City having a game in hand, they can't afford many more slip ups. Tickets are available
FA Women's Championship
Charlton Athletic v Durham @12pm - the Addicks' derby defeat to London City Lionesses last weekend, pretty much ended their promotion hopes. A top-three finish is definitely still on the cards though and runners-up spot isn't completely out of reach. Durham are in midtable but in good form
Crystal Palace v Birmingham City @2pm - the Eagles could also crash the top three but they'll have to beat the team currently in third if they're are to have any realistic chance
FAWNL Southern Premier
Watford v London Bees @2pm - the Hornets are only a point behind leaders Oxford United and will go top if they win here and Oxford lose at Portsmouth who are also in the title race. London Bees need points to avoid relegation so there's plenty to play for
FAWNL Division 1 South East
AFC Wimbledon v Cambridge United @2pm - four points behind leaders Hashtag United with two games to go, the Dons simply have to win this or their season will be over as only the winners go up. The visitors are eighth in this division of 10 and unlikely to cause them too many problems
London Seaward v Actonians @3pm - arguably of more interest is this big game in the battle to see who will finish third. The two played last weekend and Actonians squandered a 2-0 lead, letting in an 89th-minute equaliser for a 2-2 draw. With two games in hand, the A's will have a great chance to finish in bronze-medal position if they win this one
GLWFL Division 1 North
Leyton Orient v Actonians 3rd XI @2pm - way down in the women's eighth tier, the O's will be playing their final home game of the season at Brisbane Road. It's free entry and they'll become champions if they win
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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