Greetings one and all and welcome to this week's TLFG.
This is coming out a bit later than I'd like as I've had a very busy weekend.
On Friday I dropped my mother-in-law off in Killarney in Ireland to visit some relatives, did a quick bit of GAA shopping for my kids and jetted straight back - I was on foreign soil for five hours. I think that's a record for any trip I've undertaken which involves a plane. I'm going back tomorrow to do the pick-up!
On Saturday I did the Westminster Mile with 13 and 7-year-old daughters. The eldest one went off way too fast allowing the younger to catch up and win by about 35 seconds! Thankfully they both wanted to get under 10 minutes and they managed it so there wasn't too much aggro.
On Sunday came one of the highlights of my football-watching life as Actonians headed to Loftus Road to play QPR in the FAWNL Cup.
If you're new to this blog, I've been supporting QPR men for over 40 years and was even named supporter of the season in 2021.
However, when it comes to women's football I've ended up following Actonians. In part because of QPR's previous neglect of their women's team and my daughters playing for the A's.
Anyway, spending an afternoon at Loftus Road as an away fan with my younger daughter a mascot for Actonians was a very weird experience.
She ended up walking out with two-time FAWNL Cup winner Phoebe Williams who had recently joined the club from AFC Bournemouth - a proud moment.
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| Actonians enjoyed a memorable afternoon at Loftus Road |
QPR pulled one back and then had a player sent off as the first half ended 2-1.
An older supporter a few rows behind us collapsed during the game but thankfully managed to walk out with the aid of oxygen.
After a trip to the local corner shop at half-time because the queues were too long in the stadium, the action resumed.
The sides exchanged further goals right to the end but happily there were more for the visitors and Actonians ran out 5-3 winners in a very entertaining game and you can read my full report here.
This was the final match of the group stage and this result saw Actonians, Fulham and QPR all finish level on six points but it was the A's who finished top on goals scored.
They now progress to the last 32 of the cup so it will be interesting to see who they get in the draw.
As for the week ahead, when I fly back from Ireland on Tuesday, I'm then set to go straight up to Kettering Town.
They're playing Anstey Nomads and the Premier League trophy will be present for fans to have their photos with it. The Premier League have invited me to come along and former Burnley and Everton manager Sean Dyche (a lifelong Kettering fan) will be there too. Come along if you're free!
THE WEEK AHEAD
The international break continues this week so we have no Premier League or Championship games but don't be dismayed as there's plenty of other stuff to choose from.
There's full a raft of fixtures in League One with AFC Wimbledon, Bromley and Leyton Orient all at home on Saturday.
In the National League, unbeaten leaders Boreham Wood have home games against Kidderminster Harriers on Tuesday and Altrincham on Saturday - both have promotion ambitions themselves so should be well worth watching.
Below that, most focus will be on the FA Cup Third Round Qualifying. At this stage, the draw includes clubs from the sixth to ninth tiers with all teams now only two wins away from a place in all-important First Round draw so the stakes are high.
For me, Hanwell Town against Dover Athletic is the standout tie but if ninth tier Woodford Town win their replay on Tuesday night, they'll be at home to Gloucester City which will probably be one of the biggest matches in their history.
Other non-league games to look out for include the top-three clash in the Isthmian North between Hashtag United and Wroxham on Wednesday. For a bit of Friday-night football, head north-east where West Essex entertain Essex Senior League leaders Frenford.
Elsewhere in the ninth tier, head south to Whyteleafe where Lingfield are now ground-sharing. They're third in the SCFL and welcome leaders Eastbourne United for another big game on Saturday.
In the tenth tier, there are top-six clashes at the weekend between May & Baker and Rayleigh Town in the ECL Division 1 South and Reigate Priory travel to AFC Walcountians in the SCFL Division 1.
In the women's game Crystal Palace and West Ham United are both hosting WSL Cup games on Wednesday.
However, the biggest game of the week is the derby between Tottenham Hotspur and London City Lionesses on Sunday at Leyton Orient's ground. Either could potentially go top with a win.
West Ham United also entertain Chelsea in another derby at 2pm, whilst Fulham host Exeter City at their training ground in a third-tier game.
It's also the Women's FA Cup Third Round Qualifying - at this point, Tier 4 teams enter the draw including my very own Actonians who host Ascot United.
London Bees play fellow Tier 4 side Dartford at The Hive complex in north London. If you're looking for a south London option, then Bromley against Reading should be well worth a couple of hours of your time too.
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.
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