Greetings one and all and welcome to this week's TLFG.
I come into the start of the week feeling a bit flat after watching Actonians slip to a rather unexpected defeat to Marine Academy Plymouth (MAP) in the Women's FA Cup First Round on Sunday.
Although playing at the same level, the Devon club have struggled in their division this season and with home advantage, the A's were fancied to progress.
The hosts did dominate but the final ball frequently let them down and good chances were few and far between.
MAP rarely threatened but probably had the best chance of the match when they hit the post with the goal gaping during the second half.
Ultimately it went to penalties after a 0-0 draw and we missed two to their one and went out.
Since my first season watching the club regularly in 2022/23 when we got to the Third Round, we've never got beyond this stage after frequently drawing top tier-three teams.
This year presented the best chance of progress for a while so it was really disappointing to exit in this way.
Next up, the A's play Dulwich Hamlet on Tuesday night so they've got an excellent chance to bounce back immediately.
The Hamlet are fifth and have drawn a lot of games so it could be another night of toil but I fully intend to be there.
Sadly I'll be working all weekend so that will be it for me.
THE WEEK AHEAD
As usual, the Premier League tops the bill this week with three games taking place in London on Saturday.
The match between Chelsea and Manchester United tops the bill but for different reasons than the ones we're used to. The Blues are much improved on where they were last season but with only four wins from eight, they're still far from the title-winning teams of the past. While United are undeniably a massive club, arguably the biggest in the country, they seem to be in a death spiral which boss Michael Carrick seems unable to get them out of. With only one league win all season, they could end the weekend just one point off the bottom if they lose and other results go against them.
Now unbeaten in three, Tottenham Hotspur could move dangerously close to the top half if they win their derby against struggling Crystal Palace. Like Manchester United, a defeat for the Eagles will probably see them end the day in the relegation zone.
In the other top-flight game, Brentford will look to get back into the top five with a win over another one of the strugglers Nottingham Forest. A lot has, quite rightfully been made, of the Bees' fine start to the season but when you look at the actual stats, their current sixth place has been achieved by only winning two of their eight games - they have only won one of their last six.
Getting tickets for any of the above as a non-member will be tough but that's not the case for the EFL Cup Fourth Round tie between Fulham and Crystal Palace on Wednesday. With a place in the quarter-finals up for grabs, this is a match both clubs should be taking pretty seriously and tickets are on general sale.
The game of the week in the EFL sees two of the top five in the Championship meet at the London Stadium on Saturday. After their fine win at leaders Swansea City last week, West Ham United followed it up with a home loss to Southampton. Next up it's West Bromwich Albion who are just a point behind and looking to improve on a disappointing 1-1 draw against bottom club Preston. A last few tickets are available.
Elsewhere, midtable Millwall welcome struggling Derby County to The Den whilst in League One, Leyton Orient take on promotion chasing Cambridge United at Brisbane Road.
With only one point from their last two games, Barnet have missed the chance to go top in League Two. On Tuesday they'll get another opportunity as York City, another one of the top clubs, head to The Hive.
There is also an EFL Trophy match on Tuesday between AFC Wimbledon and Arsenal U21 at Plough Lane which kicks off at the very unusual time of 6pm - this could be a good half-term option if you're looking for something to do with the kids and don't want to stay out too late.
In the National League, Boreham Wood extended their unbeaten start to the campaign to 14 matches as they thrashed AFC Fylde 4-0 on Saturday. The Hertfordshire club remain seven points above Harrogate Town. This weekend they entertain Hartlepool United. After a poor run, they've won their last two so head to Meadow Park in reasonable form.
It's a big week in the sixth tier for Walton & Hersham. After a dreadful start, they've now only lost one in five and they face back-to-back home games against Salisbury on Tuesday and Torquay United on Saturday.
The pick of the action in the seventh tier Isthmian League Premier is probably the match between leaders Enfield Town and Chatham Town. The Kent club have often been among the promotion contenders but they're a little off the pace in eighth but should still bring a sizeable away following.
It's a similar story in the eighth tier where there aren't blockbuster fixtures but Isthmian League South Central leaders Bognor Regis Town are at Cobham on Tuesday so if you want to see how good they are, head to the Reg Madgwick Stadium.
Below this, the main focus will be on the Second Round of the FA Vase, the national knockout tournament for clubs in the ninth and tenth tiers with its final at Wembley. There are several ties and here are my selection.
The action gets underway on Friday night on the far east side of TLFG's area where Lymore Gardens host Biggleswade United at Aveley's ground. LG aren't quite as good as they were last season and play a level below the visitors so they face a tough evening.
On Saturday, last season's beaten finalists Cockfosters enter the draw and they host Norwich United who are one of the better sides in the level below them, so although they'll start as favourites, they'll have to avoid complacency.
As leaders in the ninth tier SCEFL Premier, Fisher are currently one of the top-ranked teams in the competition. They host Sussex club AFC Varndeanians and should be expected to progress.
Phoenix Sports host Faversham Strike Force in a tie between two of the top five in the SCEFL, so although not a particularly exotic tie, it should be well worth a watch. A sizeable crowd should also be expected just down the road as SE Dons welcome Hythe Town.
One of TLFG's lowest-ranked teams that's still left in are Belstone. Located not far from Boreham Wood, they welcome ninth-tier club Wisbech Town who make the journey down from Cambridgeshire.
Elsewhere in the ninth tier, there's a top-two clash in the CCL Premier North between North Greenford United and Broadfields United on Saturday.
Whilst in the tenth tier, the biggest game seems to be the top-five meeting in the CCL Division 1 between Molesey and Wembley also on Saturday.
In the women's game, there are couple of fixtures in the Champions League on Wednesday with Arsenal welcoming Benfica to Meadow Park and Chelsea taking on Roma at Plough Lane.
There are also midweek games in the Players Cup where we have derbies between Charlton Athletic and West Ham United at The Valley and London City Lionesses and Crystal Palace at Bromley.
On Sunday there's a bumper programme of four WSL games in the capital with the match between London City Lionesses and reigning league champions Manchester City nearing a sell out, so grab your tickets ASAP if you want to go.
If you've never been to the Emirates Stadium then Arsenal entertain Aston Villa there at 12pm.
In the lower tiers, the big match between QPR and London Bees on Wednesday has a lot riding on it. The visitors are top and unbeaten but are the only side in the top three not to have played any of their main challengers. The R's are in that group and will look to try and inflict that first defeat.
If London Bees drop any points, then Actonians could head into the weekend as leaders if they enjoy a healthy win over Dulwich Hamlet on Tuesday.
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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