Greetings one and all and welcome to this delayed Easter Special.
As followers on X may have noticed, norovirus ripped through TLFG Towers over the weekend with, at times, quite spectacular consequences.
After an enjoyable visit to Bath on Friday, one of my daughters erupted all over a train from Bristol to Tiverton on Saturday lunchtime and I suffered the same unpleasantries about 36 hours later but fortunately back on home turf.
Between these bouts, I still managed to squeeze in a bit of very low level non-league football as I watched some of Hemyock's 3-2 loss to Elmore in the Devon & District League on Saturday afternoon - all in the name of occupying daughter number two whilst the other was chucking up.
With our recoveries now pretty much complete, I've finally had a chance to get the match maps together for one of the busiest weekends of the football calendar.
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| The Unity Cup is coming to Brentford |
I'll be updating as the days go along, as league tables will change on an almost daily basis.
For the groundhoppers among you, the Easter weekend from Friday to Monday offers you an absolute feast of football with games happening every day, many with staggered kick-off times which should allow you to see at least two on most days.
Typically, I'm working the whole time so won't get to see any of it!
I hope you're luckier and take full advantage of the fantastic selection on offer.
PS - it was announced last week that an exciting international mini tournament is being hosted by Brentford at the end of May.
The Unity Cup will see Jamaica take on Trinidad & Tobago and Ghana play Nigeria before a final on 31 May - tickets have just gone on sale.
THE WEEK AHEAD
This week's highlights include games in the Conference League, Premier League, EFL, National League, Women's Champions League, Women's Super League and lots of other games featuring our local non-league and women's clubs.
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
EASTER WEEKEND MATCH MAP
Friday fixture - black pin
Saturday fixtures - blue pin
Sunday fixtures - orange pin
Monday fixtures - yellow pin
TLFG DAILY DIGEST
In the following section, I list what are in my opinion the most notable games of the week and give some brief reasons for my choice. Check the maps above for kick-off times, ticket info and directions.
Tuesday 15 April
Women's Super League
Arsenal v Leicester City @730pm - the biggest crowd of the day will be found at the Emirates Stadium where the Gunners look to keep their faint title hopes alive. Second and six points behind leaders Chelsea with four games to go, it looks like making sure of the runners-up spot is a more likely target. Down in 10th, Leicester's season looks to be more or less over as they're seven points clear of the relegation zone. Tickets
London Senior Cup Semi-Finals
Brentford B v Barking @745pm - since they began entering development sides in this competition, the Bees have made three of the last six finals. Last winning it in 2022 when they edged past Hendon on penalties, they're arguably the strongest side left. Their chances of making the final look great too as they've drawn the lowest-ranked side at home. Barking, who play in the ninth tier, have had a great season and have already booked a spot in the Essex Senior League play-offs but you feel a trip to Wheatsheaf Lane should be too much for them. Tickets
Hanwell Town v Dulwich Hamlet @745pm - with 14 trips to the final between them, these clubs have quite a history in this cup. However, neither of them have won it for over 20 years. Both in the seventh tier, the hosts are in better form and start as favourites for me. Tickets
Isthmian League South Central
Hanworth Villa v Ascot United @745pm - with only five points between the clubs in the third and eighth, the play-off race in this division is tight. And yes, you guessed it, these two are both in that group. Hanworth are in better form and have Paul Merson's Sam banging in the goals (23 this season). Even more importantly, this game was originally played on 29 March but was abandoned when Ascot fan Paul Sarin fell ill and passed away. All profits from the gate receipts will be donated to his family. Tickets are £11 on the gate
CCL Premier South
Abbey Rangers v Jersey Bulls @745pm - one of the tightest title races in the country is to be found in this ninth-tier division. There are currently four points between the top three but the sides in second and third have a game in hand. Jersey are second and will move level on points with leaders Redhill if they win at midtable Abbey who play in Addlestone. I haven't seen ticket prices published anywhere but it should be around the £8 mark
SCFL Division 1
Chessington & Hook United v Worthing United @745pm - in recent years, Chessington have been moved over to the SCFL which is primarily made up of clubs in Sussex. They've pottered along and haven't drawn much attention. That has been the case for most of this season too (I can't remember mentioning them once) but over the last few weeks they've put a great run of results together and now only goal difference is keeping them out of the play-off places. Here they play the team who are just ahead of them so it's huge for both. Tickets are £6 on the gate
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Wednesday 16 April
SSML Premier
London Lions v FC Romania @8pm - the hosts are the capital's top club for Jewish players. They've had a fine season in this ninth-tier division and will all-but secure a play-off place if they win here. The visitors have really struggled over the last couple of years and badly need the points to avoid another relegation. I'm not certain of admission prices but you shouldn't be paying more than £8 at this level
MCFL Premier
Camden & Islington United v Pitshanger Dynamo @745pm - the hosts, who play at the New River Stadium in Haringey, are top of this 11th-tier division with four games to go. In a title race with SL Benfica, Stonewall FC and at a push Hayes & Hillingdon, every point will be crucial from now on. Here they play last season's champions who must have lost most of their squad over the summer as they're now bottom and well adrift. If there is an admission price, it shouldn't exceed £5
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Thursday 17 April
UEFA Conference League Quarter-Final
Chelsea v Legia Warsaw @8pm - the Blues are the overwhelming favourites to win this competition and they come into this second leg with a commanding 3-0 lead. The visitors are fifth in the Polish league and lost at home to Jagiellonia Bialystock in the run up to this game. A place in the semi-finals looks a certainty for Chelsea. Tickets
CCL Premier North
Wembley v Harefield United @745pm - both sides had eventful Tuesday nights. The Lions came back from 2-0 down to beat Wokingham 4-2 and are now three points from safety with three games to go. The Hare, on the other hand, beat Hilltop 3-1 to book their place in the play-offs and they'll finish fourth whatever happens here. Tickets will be available on the gate for around £8
CCL Division 1
Belstone v Hillingdon Borough @745pm - with three games to go, these two are both in the race for the play-offs. The hosts are fourth and seven points clear of Hillingdon who are one place and five points the wrong side of the line. They do, however, have a game in hand on fifth placed Eversley & California so this is a must-win game for the visitors. Tickets are £7 on the gate
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Friday 18 April
Championship
Watford v Burnley @3pm - with only two wins from eight, the Hornets' play-off hopes have become very faint indeed. Seven points adrift with four games to go, they've got to win every one and hope for a great string of results elsewhere. The Clarets confirmed a play-off spot a while ago, but the title is firmly in their sights as only goal difference separates them from top club Leeds as we go into the final batch of games. Tickets
League One
Charlton Athletic v Northampton Town @3pm - the Addicks have had a fine campaign and a win here will seal their place in the play-offs. The Cobblers are five points above the relegation zone so should be beaten but they need to get something themselves. Tickets
Leyton Orient v Barnsley @3pm - back-to-back wins over Mansfield and Crawley have lifted the O's to seventh and a win here will propel them in the play-off places if Reading come unstuck against Lincoln. The Tykes are in poor form and anything less than a win will mathematically end their season. Tickets
League Two
AFC Wimbledon v Chesterfield @3pm - sitting fifth, the Dons are still in the hunt for automatic promotion but, with the table being so tight, they could also still miss out on the play-offs altogether. The Spireites are ninth and still legitimate play-off contenders so this could be tense. Tickets have sold out but check the club's re-sale site to see if any become available
Bromley v Morecambe @3pm - currently 14th, a midtable finish is as good as it's likely to get for the Ravens. If you'd have told the newly promoted club that at the start of the season, I'm sure they'd have bitten your hand off. I saw a stat the other day which said all clubs newly promoted from the fifth tier since it became automatic in the '80s have survived their first season. Morecambe are bottom and seven points adrift of safety. If they lose and other results go against them, they could be relegated here. Tickets
National League
Dagenham & Redbridge v Ebbsfleet United @3pm - the Daggers are in serious danger of going down. Five points adrift of safety with four games to go they simply have to win this game against the bottom club. Ebbsfleet have been really poor this season and got relegated a while ago. Aside from their struggles on the pitch, there have been problems off it too this week with the investment of Egyptian YouTuber Marwan Serry not going down too well - watch this space. Tickets are available and only a pound for U16s
Barnet v Eastleigh @530pm - the Bees appeared to be cantering to the title but two games without a win has seen their lead cut to six points. With four games to go they should hold on but it's not inconceivable that York could catch them. The Spitfires are 14th and realistically have little to play for. Tickets
National League South
Enfield Town v St Albans City @3pm - we could have a real thriller on our hands at Donkey Lane where two local rivals do battle to beat the drop. Gavin Macpherson has done a superb job to bring the Towners up to this level and after a very rocky start, they'll secure their place in the division if they win this. Things are more critical for the Saints as they're still three points adrift of safety and could be in real trouble if they lose and Salisbury win at already relegated Weymouth. The club are predicting a sell out so buy your tickets in advance and turn up early to get a good spot
Welling United v Maidstone United @3pm - there's also a big game on the south-east side of town where the Wings must win to have any chance of avoiding relegation. Their task isn't going to be easy though as the Stones are scrapping for every point to secure a play-off spot and will bring a large number of travelling supporters. Tickets
Isthmian League Premier
Dartford v Dover Athletic @3pm - the biggest game in the seventh tier on Friday is this Kent derby at Princes Park. The Darts came down from the NLS last season but are two points clear at the top with three games to go. Dover dropped into this division with them and they've had a good season too. Currently fourth, a win could seal their place in the play-offs and keep their very slim title hopes alive. The crowd should be a whopper so buy your tickets in advance
Cray Valley PM v Whitehawk @3pm - a short journey to the west, another side who are new to this level but via promotion have also had a cracking campaign. CVPM are fifth and are another side who could nail down a play-off spot if they win on Friday. Brighton club Whitehawk will finish in midtable and have little to play for. Tickets
SCEFL Challenge Cup Final
Forest Hill Park v Snodland Town @1pm - it seems south-east London is the place to be on Friday afternoon as this cup final is being played at Cray Wanderers' fine new stadium. Given some of the big clubs in the SCEFL Premier, it's strange that only one of the strugglers (Snodland) and a side from Division 1 have made the final. FHP are not any run-of-the-mill 10th-tier club though. They actually merged with SE Dons over the summer but too late for an official name change. A bit of an internet phenomenon, they have hundreds of thousands of followers across various platforms and look like the next Hashtag United. Currently top of their division, they'll be hoping this will be the first part of a memorable double. Apparently tickets can only be bought online and not on the gate
Essex Senior League
Woodford Town v Hullbridge Sports @745pm - there are also a reasonable selection of games in the evening so seeing two is easily possible. The best crowd and atmosphere is likely to be found at Ashtons were the hosts are still looking to catch Takeley and finish second. Even if they don't, a play-off spot is already guaranteed. Hullbridge are six points above the relegation zone and a point will confirm their place in the division. Tickets are £7 on the gate
ECL Division 1 South
Barkingside v Enfield Borough @745pm - with two games to go, these two sit just above the relegation zone. The visitors are five points clear so a win will see them safe whilst the 'Side will go six points clear with a victory. However, their goal difference is worse than Southend Manor so they could still be caught. Either way, both sides have a lot to gain from winning. Tickets are £7 on the gate but check details with the club on the day as they often run ticket promotions to try and get a few more in
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Saturday 19 April
Premier League
Brentford v Brighton & Hove Albion @3pm - currently 11th and 10th respectively, you get the feeling that realistically, it's a midtable finish for both of these. Given there's five points between them, simply leapfrogging Brighton and getting into the top 10 by the end of the season would be a decent achievement for the hosts, whilst finishing eighth is likely to be the best the Seagulls can hope for. Games in the capital are effectively derbies for Brighton and getting to the GTech by train from Sussex is very easy via a simple change at Clapham Junction - talking of that, I'm actually scheduled to be the guard of one of the pre-match trains taking fans to the game. Tickets are only available to members
Crystal Palace v AFC Bournemouth @3pm - if Brentford slip up then the Eagles, who are level on points with them, will be first in line to benefit. With little to play for in the league, the south London club must surely now be focused on winning the FA Cup with their semi-final against Aston Villa taking place next weekend. The Cherries are still in the top eight and must harbour hopes of getting a Conference League place so they need to keep winning. Tickets are only available to members
West Ham United v Southampton @3pm - two of the bottom four meet at the London Stadium but with the hosts 14 points clear of the relegation zone and the visitors already down, there's not much to recommend this as a viewing spectacle. Tickets
UEFA Women's Champions League Semi-Final First Leg
Arsenal v Lyon @1230pm - a big crowd should be expected at the Emirates where the Gunners' women will hope to continue the club's good form in Europe following the men's win over Real Madrid in midweek. The task in front of them is huge - Lyon are the most successful club in the history of women's European football. They've won this competition eight times and are currently well clear at the top of the French league. Arsenal are in great form though, winning their last four and scoring 16 in the process - it should be a great occasion. Tickets
Women's Super League
West Ham United v Manchester United @12pm - Rehanne Skinner has really managed to get a tune out of this Hammers side over the last few months and they could do the almost unthinkable and go fifth with a win here. Manchester United will be looking to take advantage of Arsenal playing in Europe, to move level on points with the Gunners in the top three. This is being played at Dagenham & Redbridge. Tickets
Isthmian League Premier
Dulwich Hamlet v Canvey Island @3pm - the largest non-league crowd of the day in London is likely to be found at Champion Hill. With matches frequently drawing more than 3,000 fans, this important match in the race to beat the drop should also prove popular. Despite the big crowds, Dulwich have been struggling and find themselves five points above the relegation zone with three games to go. Essex club Canvey are one place and three points ahead of them. A win for Dulwich will secure their place if Hendon, who are chasing them, fail to beat Chatham. You are strongly advised to buy your tickets in advance
Hendon v Chatham Town @3pm - if you're in north-west London, then this aforementioned match might be the better option - the jeopardy here is certainly far greater. As alluded to already, the Greens are in real trouble with the poaching of their manager by a higher-ranked club before Christmas not helping at all. Given they're five points adrift with three games to go, only a win will really be of any use to them. A quick word on the Chats - they made the play-offs last year but won't this time. With little to play for, the hosts will be hoping the Kentish club's players might not be as driven as they could be. Tickets are £12 on the gate
Isthmian League South Central
Hanworth Villa v Uxbridge @3pm - the standout game in the eighth tier is this derby between the sides who are fighting to finish second. Both of these clubs have made relatively late charges up the table with some impressive performances and it's a shame that only one of them can go up. The visitors are currently three points ahead in second and have a much better goal difference. It should be noted, however, that neither side have mathematically made sure of their play-off place yet as the table is so tight so there's still plenty to play for. Tickets are £11 on the gate
Ashford Town (Middlesex) v Hartley Wintney @3pm - just down the road from Hanworth, it's also a big day for the Tangerines. After welcoming a good crowd to the inauguration of their new 3G pitch, the hosts badly need to win to try and avoid relegation. Five points adrift with three games to go, defeat here could prove terminal. The visitors are 10th and have little to play for. I've not seen admission prices published for this but it shouldn't exceed £11
Sutton Common Rovers v Ascot United @3pm - things are even more perilous for SCR who could win here and still go down. Second bottom and eight points adrift with three to go, it looks all over for the south London club. Visitors Ascot are fourth and still need every point to make sure of a play-off spot so they shouldn't be in the mood to be charitable. Tickets are £11 on the gate
Isthmian League South East
Erith Town v Merstham @3pm - the Dockers have had a decent debut season playing at this level and will be hoping some good results late in the campaign will secure a top-10 finish. As for Merstham, it's a straight fight between themselves and Beckenham Town for the last play-off spot. A win here will give them a six-point advantage with two games to go and pretty much make it theirs. Tickets are £10 on the gate
CCL Premier North
Bedfont Sports v Egham Town @3pm - the top two in this division finish the regular season by playing each other. With Egham having already won the title, it's all about whether Bedfont can get the win they need to finish as runners-up, with Amersham needing to better their result to pip them. Both of those sides will then head to the play-offs. Tickets are £8 on the gate
Broadfields United v Wembley @3pm - the hosts, who groundshare with Rayners Lane, have had a solid midtable campaign and will finish 10th if they win this. The Lions, though, are the real focus of this game. Bottom for a while but with lots of games in hand, they're now only three points adrift with this match and one against North Greenford in midweek to save themselves. Win this and they could be safe with a game to spare. Tickets are £5 on the gate
North Greenford United v Risborough Rangers @3pm - the team Wembley are hoping to leapfrog to safety are Risborough. Having played one more game, this is their final match. With North Greenford still in with a chance of the play-offs, both sides badly need a win. If the visitors lose and Wembley win, they'll be down. Tickets are £8 on the gate
CCL Premier South
Abbey Rangers v Chipstead @3pm - most attention in this division will be on who wins the title but all those games are taking place outside TLFG's area. Instead we'll focus on the battle to avoid the drop. Chipstead suffered relegation from the Isthmian League last season and could go down again. Locked in a three-way battle with Sandhurst and Balham for the one remaining relegation place, a win here will guarantee they stay up. Abbey Rangers will finish 11th whatever happens here. Admission should be around the £8 mark
Balham v Sheerwater @3pm - the hosts occupy the final relegation spot at the moment so their fate is in other people's hands. Two points adrift going into the last game, only a win will do for the south London club against midtable opponents. Being played at Tooting & Mitcham United, tickets are £8 on the gate
CCL Division 1
Hillingdon Borough v Woodley United @3pm - the hosts will take it to the wire in their quest for a play-off place. One place and two points adrift with two games to play, it's going to be close. However, today, they should get three points. Woodley are bottom and will be relegated if they lose. Tickets are £6 on the gate
Oxhey Jets v Belstone @3pm - the visitors have enjoyed a superb start to life in the 10th tier following their promotion from county football last year. Currently fourth, a win here against midtable Oxhey will seal their place in the play-offs with a game to go. Tickets should be more than £8 on the gate - I haven't seen a price advertised
Westside v Penn & Tylers Green @3pm - it's second versus third at Wibbandune. Only a point separate the sides but with this being the visitors' final game, Westside only need a draw to finish as runners-up. Again I'm not certain of admission but it shouldn't exceed £8 and should be less
ECL Division 1 South
AS London v St Margertsbury @3pm - the hosts, who play at the New River Stadium in Haringey, are in a tight battle for a play-off spot. Currently fourth, it's looking good and they should be highly confident of victory here as the visitors are down already having won only three games all season. Tickets will be available on the gate and should be £6-8
NW London v Rayleigh Town @3pm - one of AS London's main rivals for promotion are playing just across the road at Haringey Borough's ground at the same time. Rayleigh have already confirmed their play-off place and could well meet ASL at some point in the post-season. NWL, though, are in the bottom five but a draw will be enough to see them stay up. Tickets are £7 on the gate
SCEFL Division 1
Lewisham Borough v Clapton CFC @3pm - with Lewisham having little to play for and CCFC having only a very slim chance of making the play-offs, this match will be more about the atmosphere. These are two of the best supported clubs in the division, with the visitors probably the best supported 10th tier club in the country. With it being late in the campaign, hopefully 200-300 will turn up. Tickets are £7 on the gate and there's a food bank collection taking place too
More previews for the 20-21 April to follow
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.
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