Hello there and welcome to this week's TLFG.
Apologies again for the much reduced bank holiday edition, I was drowning in all kind of tasks and had to keep it brief.
Did you get to partake in the feast of football which took place?
I made it to Actonians' big game against Fulham which was also the first of a new groundshare with North Greenford United.
The CCL club's Berkeley Fields ground had hosted the A's for a few seasons in the past but not during the five years I've followed their fortunes.
Without three key members of the first team, it was somewhat of a surprise to see them take the lead against the big-spending title favourites when our new secret weapon scored a cracker.
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| Actonians take on Fulham at Berkeley Fields |
Vivien Ruettgers, a German striker with a background in the American college system, cut in from the left before bending a cracking effort into the top corner.
Fulham responded well though with a cracking free-kick drawing them level, a 30-yard worldie putting them ahead and a close-range effort giving them a 3-1 lead at the break.
It looked as if we could be on for a real hiding but a formation change after the interval made a huge difference and with Ruettgers getting a second from a corner, things got a lot closer.
Claudia Cholakian had one big chance to equalise but it wasn't to be as the visitors held on for the win.
After playing arguably the two toughest teams in the first two games, it's no great surprise to find ourselves on zero points but we've also been nowhere near full strength yet either.
That looks set to change when we travel to Luton Town on Sunday, so hopefully we'll pick up something there.
Joined on the pitch after the game by fellow fan Neil and junior club secretary Rosie, we recorded our thoughts for the new club podcast which I set up last week - so if you want to hear what I sound like, then tune in.
As a result of child illness, my plans for the week ahead are a bit up in the air but I should think a trip to Bedfordshire on Sunday will be the sum total of my football watching.
THE WEEK AHEAD
Games in the Premier League and EFL top the bill over the next few days but we've also got games in the EFL Cup too.
At non-league level there's a full selection of games in the National League, but it's the next round of the FA Cup that should get most neutrals excited.
In women's football, there are some eye-catching friendlies in the build-up to the new WSL season whilst Fulham host a big WNL game at Craven Cottage.
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 and development matches. 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
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.
Tuesday 26 August
EFL Cup Second Round
Millwall v Coventry City @745pm - with three wins from four in all competitions, the Lions have made a really good start to the season. Frank Lampard's Sky Blues are in even better form though and head to The Den on the back of thrashing QPR 7-1 on Saturday. Neither of these sides have been to the final of this cup let alone won it and neither have been beyond the Third Round in recent years. If the managers choose strong line-ups, it could serve as a good indicator of the sides' promotion chances.
Tickets Bromley v Wycombe Wanderers @745pm - after causing arguably the biggest upset of the First Round by beating Ipswich, the Ravens have this seemingly easier draw against the Chairboys. The Buckinghamshire club still play a level above them but they're winless in five in the league and could be there for the taking.
Tickets
FA Cup Preliminary Round Replay
Egham Town v Corinthian @745pm - the original tie between these two ended 2-2 but with the Sarnies closing in on a win in the replay, the assistant referee got caught in a collision between two players and suffered a badly broken leg causing the game to be abandoned. The winners will travel to Isthmian League South East club Beckenham Town on Saturday. Tickets are £10 on the gate
Professional Development League
If you fancy seeing two games today then the matches in this U21 league will give you that opportunity.
Charlton Athletic host Barnsley at The Valley at 1pm (
tickets) whilst
QPR welcome Fleetwood Town to their training ground near Heathrow at 3pm - pre-registration is required, see the 'Visit' section at the bottom of this
page. QPR are also hosting a first team open training session at Loftus Road - gates open at 1030 with a donation to the club's trust on arrival encouraged
Essex Senior Cup First Round
Clapton CFC v Romford @745pm - my pick of the non-league action is this east London derby. CCFC play a level below the visitors who won the FA Vase at Wembley in 2024. A relatively new club, this is only the third time the hosts have qualified for this competition and they've yet to win or score in it. Romford have been to the final 13 times, winning it on five occasions but the last time was way back in 1947. If you're new to the London football scene, I'd always recommend a visit here - CCFC play at the Old Spotted Dog which is the oldest ground in the capital and their fans always generate a good atmosphere. Tickets are £5 on the gate
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Wednesday 27 August
EFL Cup Second Round
Fulham v Bristol City @745pm - the majority of Premier League clubs enter the draw at this stage and the only one in London playing at home are the Cottagers. They face a Robins side who have made a strong start to their season in the Championship and if they field a strong team, they should have a chance of causing an upset. I say this as most top-flight sides field significantly weakened teams in the early rounds of this competition. Consequently demand for
tickets if often way lower than normal and so are the prices so if you're just looking to tick off the stadium as a groundhopper, this is the easiest and most cost-effective way of doing it
Premier League International Cup
Fulham v Valencia @7pm - in a rather unfortunate bit of scheduling, Fulham's U21s are also in action the same night. In my opinion, this competition receives a spectacular lack of publicity. Featuring development sides from many of Europe's top clubs, all fixtures are played in England. Having looked at this year's entry list, I'd say it's the strongest ever with Real Madrid entering for the first time alongside the likes of Benfica, Borussia Dortmund, PSG, Juventus and many more. Nottingham Forest are the reigning champions after beating Lyon in last year's final. The Cottagers made the semis whilst Valencia won their group before bowing out in the quarter-finals. This is being played at the club's training ground in Motspur Park. Ticket details are sketchy but you can usually pay on the gate for no more than £5
Women's friendly
Arsenal v West Ham United @7pm - the European champions continue their pre-season build up with this warm-up against the Hammers. Being played at Boreham Wood, the Gunners will hope for an improved performance from the one they delivered on Saturday when they rather surprisingly lost 4-3 at home to north London rivals Spurs. If you're just getting into the women's game following England's triumph at the Euros, then Lionesses Chloe Kelly, Alessia Russo and Beth Mead could well play in this game. On paper, they should beat West Ham but they finished above Tottenham last season so you never know.
Tickets
CCL Division 1
Colliers Wood United v Westside @730pm - if you're after a non-league option then head to Wibbandune in south-west London for this groundshare derby. For the vast majority of the time I've been writing this blog, CWU have been a ninth-tier side but in 2024 they slipped into the division below. Their first season at this level for just over 20 years wasn't particularly inspiring as they finished 15th. Westside, the tenants, are much newer to senior football and surprised many with their second-place finish last term. With one of the smallest fanbases in London, the achievement was significant but sadly they came unstuck in the play-offs. The two sides are much of a muchness on the pitch so far this season so it will be interesting to see how this one goes. Tickets are £7 on the gate
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Friday 29 August
Premier League 2
Arsenal v Brighton & Hove Albion @7pm - after a quiet Thursday, the action returns with this U21 game at Boreham Wood. With a loss to Fulham and a draw at Nottingham Forest, the young Gunners are still looking for their first win in PL2 this season. The Seagulls, on the other hand, have won both their games 4-0. Check admission details with the club on the day, although it is often free entry at this venue
FA Cup First Round Qualifying
Aveley v Hashtag United @745pm - the next round of the FA Cup gets underway on Friday night. At this stage, all the seventh-tier teams enter the draw alongside the remaining sides from tiers eight and nine. Here, we've got a mouthwatering match-up as the clubs both play in the seventh tier and they groundshare. The Millers made it to the First Round proper in 1970 and almost did it again in 2024 but lost to Barnet in a fourth round qualifying replay. The Tags have never been beyond the next round. Aveley are in better form so, for me, they start as marginal favourites. Tickets are £14 on the gate
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Previews for the 30-31 August to follow
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.
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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