Welcome to this week's TLFG.
It's late on Sunday night and I need to be up early for work so I'll keep this brief.
With many leagues having now wrapped up, there aren't a lot of games on but the ones we do have are hugely important.
It's largely about play-off games and cup semi-finals and finals this week so it should be really exciting.
I managed to see one game this week - Actonians' final match of the season at Ashford Town.
They won 4-0 to finish in the top six of the women's fourth tier again - a fine achievement when you consider the big budgets of some of the clubs they're up against.
With some more big names likely to join their division next year, it's going to require another big effort to compete but I'm confident they'll be able to give it a good go.
Anyway, I've got to go to bed. I'll update the guide as the week progresses.
Enjoy!
THE WEEK AHEAD
This week's highlights include games in the Champions League, Europa League, Premier League, EFL, National 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
Friday fixtures - black pin
WEEKEND MATCH MAP
Saturday fixtures - blue pin
Sunday fixtures - orange 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.
Monday 28 April
Premier League 2
The week begins with a couple of U21 matches. With the 20 regular season games complete, these are both first round play-off games. Crystal Palace host old rivals Brighton & Hove Albion at Sutton United, whilst Fulham take on Nottingham Forest at their Motspur Park training ground. Both matches kick-off at 7pm and tickets will be available on arrival
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Tuesday 29 April
UEFA Champions League Semi-Final First Leg
Arsenal v Paris Saint-Germain @8pm - arguably the biggest game of the week takes place at the Emirates. After sensationally beating Real Madrid in the quarter-finals, the Gunners next take on PSG. Both sides have been to the final only once before but neither of them have ever won it. For me, Arsenal will win this tie but come unstuck in the final. Tickets are only available to members but hospitality packages are available from £1,395 per person
National League Cup Final
Sutton United v Leeds United U21 @7pm - this competition is for fifth tier clubs and Premier League/EFL U21 teams. It has received a lot of criticism as it was essentially set up as a form of compensation to the biggest non-league clubs for getting rid of FA Cup replays. Fans weren't amused and have voted with their feet, creating very low crowds for many of these games. This is the first final and it's being played at Sutton's ground rather than a neutral venue. Tickets are £12
National League South Play-Off Eliminator
Boreham Wood v Dorking Wanderers @745pm - the real fun this week will be found in the numerous play-off matches which are taking place. Six teams headed into the final day of the NLS season with a chance of winning the title. Neither of these made it but they've got another crack at promotion through the play-offs. In this division, the teams in second to seventh qualify with the teams in second and third getting a bye through this round. These sides got relegated from the fifth tier together last year but only one of them can progress. The Surrey club are unbeaten in four against The Wood and could well win. Tickets
SCEFL Premier
VCD Athletic v Punjab United @745pm - the hosts pushed Faversham Town hard for the title but ultimately fell short. They finished 14 points ahead of Punjab who sealed their spot in the post-season on the final day. Although the Vickers have had a better season, the visitors arrive in better form which is often crucial at this stage. Tickets will be available on the gate and shouldn't exceed £10
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Wednesday 30 April
Isthmian League Premier Play-Off Semi-Final
Dartford v Cray Valley PM @745pm - the title was theirs to win with two games to go but with only one point from those final matches, the Darts finished third. They've picked up a devilishly tough semi-final against local rivals CVPM. New to this level this season, the visitors are in better form and will no doubt make life challenging for the hosts. You are strongly advised to buy your tickets in advance
Southern League Premier South Play-Off Semi-Final
Walton & Hersham v Gloucester City @745pm - among the leading group for sometime now, the Swans always looked like making the play-offs. With Welsh club Merthyr Town having won the title, the Surrey club will be hoping to join them. The winners will play AFC Totton or Dorchester Town in the final. Another big crowd is expected so buy your tickets in advance
Isthmian League South Central Play-Off Semi-Finals
Hanworth Villa v Ascot United @745pm - the Villains won their final game against Horndean 5-2 to demonstrate that they should be a force to be reckoned with at this stage. They drew 0-0 with Ascot a couple of weeks ago and it will no doubt be tight again here. Tickets are £11 on the gate
Uxbridge v Kingstonian @745pm - the Reds would seem to be the team to beat in the play-offs. They finished second and are in better form than any of the other contenders. The K's were second for a long time but fell away badly and if it wasn't for an upturn in results right at the end, they would've probably missed out on a top-five finish - they'll do very well to win. Tickets are £10 on the gate
Essex Senior League Play-Off Semi-Final
Woodford Town v Great Wakering Rovers @745pm - the hosts were in title contention for most of the season but Stanway Rovers eventually prevailed as Woodford finished third. GWR, who hail from the Southend area, finished fifth but are in very similar form coming into this so it could go all the way to penalties. Tickets are £7 on the gate
SSML Premier Play-Off Semi-Final
Cockfosters v London Lions @745pm - we've got a north London derby in this other ninth-tier division. Finishing just three points apart, this is another one which looks too close to call. With Milton Keynes Irish having won the title, one of these two will play Tring Athletic or Wormley Rovers in the final. Tickets are £10 on the gate
ECL Division 1 South Play-Off Semi-Final
AS London v Rayleigh Town @745pm - dropping into the 10th tier, this game was held up because of a delayed decision about reports of racism in an earlier game featuring AS London. The match against Cannons Wood was ordered to be replayed but they opted not to and forfeited the points. Rayleigh, from Essex, finished a point behind them and now have to make this trip to Haringey. The two played in their final league game a week ago and AS London won 5-1 away. Tickets will be available on the gate. Update - this match has been postponed
SCEFL Division 1 Play-Off Semi-Final
Forest Hill Park v Croydon @745pm - in a four-horse race for the title going into the final game, both these sides could only manage a draw so have ended up playing each other in the battle for the second and final promotion spot instead. FHP were top but lost a load of momentum in the closing weeks of the season and finished 14th in the form table. The Trams finished below them in the regular table but come into this on a lengthy unbeaten run. Tickets will be available on the gate
SOUL Tower Hamlets v Sheppey Sports @745pm - STH missed out on the title on goal difference whilst Sheppey squeaked into the play-offs on the final day. The hosts have won four of their last five so should start as favourites. Tickets will be available on the gate. Update - this now being played outside London at Corinthian FC in Kent
Premier League Cup Semi-Final
QPR v Burnley @7pm - these two Championship clubs have made it to the last four of this U21 competition. Their respective first teams met at Loftus Road for an EFL game on Saturday with the Clarets winning 5-0. The young R's will hope to do a lot better than that. The winners will face Southampton or Brentford in the final. This is also being played at Loftus Road and apparently it's free entry although a donation to the club's trust would be appreciated
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Previews for the 1-5 May 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.
NEED HELP?
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Hi James, just found your blog and it is just perfect. 3 friends and I are coming to London from Germany and will definitely check out at least 2 games over the weekend in the area <3 would have been way harder to figure out the lower leagues without your content. Best, Andy
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