The Non - League thread

[Four Of Clubs]

Any non league football on this Saturday that is decent-ish?

Got a free weekend away from the missus so looking for a adventure.

... bit early for the usual Preview and although I have already picked a draft list for me for both this midweek and next Saturday - I'll have pruned out a lot of the more popular 'local' games - simply because I'll have already been there and don't fancy a revisit.

I will try and post the usual 'local' Preview on Thu/Fri.

There might be a couple of decent pre-season Cups being played for, which won't just be a squad training match and I'd also recommend you go for clubs at the upper end of the pyramid simply because of the standards of their facilities - and falls within your 'decent-ish' requirement.

The best I can do at this stage is link to the current thread on the NLM forum - this lengthy list may change regularly through the week so you might want to dip back in to check the latest versions. The moderator on there works hard to try and keep only the newest list visible. Be warned it is a nationwide too, so will be a bit daunting at first glance.

http://www.nonleaguematters.co.uk/forum/gforum.cgi?post=751039;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;guest=122079098

...for example Diddy's trip up to Wellingborough FC for an Annual Memorial Cup game vs AFC R&D (held for a former player who passed away a few years back) could be quite an attraction
- BUT parking around the delightfully penned 'Dog & Duck' ground can be a absolute *&^%.
- it might be it's last season as the owners are rumoured to be pushing to get football off of the site altogether and lots of people rave about it as an NL gem (can't quite see it myself but I have obscure tastes )

... if you have any that leap out at you, I'd willingly comment if I feel I have any useful tips.

[double d]

Any non league football on this Saturday that is decent-ish?

Got a free weekend away from the missus so looking for a adventure.

... bit early for the usual Preview and although I have already picked a draft list for me for both this midweek and next Saturday - I'll have pruned out a lot of the more popular 'local' games - simply because I'll have already been there and don't fancy a revisit.

I will try and post the usual 'local' Preview on Thu/Fri.

There might be a couple of decent pre-season Cups being played for, which won't just be a squad training match and I'd also recommend you go for clubs at the upper end of the pyramid simply because of the standards of their facilities - and falls within your 'decent-ish' requirement.

The best I can do at this stage is link to the current thread on the NLM forum - this lengthy list may change regularly through the week so you might want to dip back in to check the latest versions. The moderator on there works hard to try and keep only the newest list visible. Be warned it is a nationwide too, so will be a bit daunting at first glance.

http://www.nonleaguematters.co.uk/forum/gforum.cgi?post=751039;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;guest=122079098

...for example Diddy's trip up to Wellingborough FC for an Annual Memorial Cup game vs AFC R&D (held for a former player who passed away a few years back) could be quite an attraction
- BUT parking around the delightfully penned 'Dog & Duck' ground can be a absolute *&^%.
- it might be it's last season as the owners are rumoured to be pushing to get football off of the site altogether and lots of people rave about it as an NL gem (can't quite see it myself but I have obscure tastes )

... if you have any that leap out at you, I'd willingly comment if I feel I have any useful tips.

Awesome! Cheers for this
Probably going to head down to FGR v Newport, half cause the free tickets I get and half because I have kind of decided they are my new go to team:D

[Royal Rother]

Pah! I don't consider FGR v Newport proper non league - they are both professional clubs.

The standard may not be as good but why not try Windsor FC (where no-one gets paid a penny and you'll get to see the most original kit in the country) against Bracknell Town at picturesque Stag Meadow, on the best non league pitch in the country...?

[Royalist]

Yeah i don't even consider the conference non-league anymore. It's certainly, bar a few of the smaller clubs, nothing like the non league i know! Wouldn't be against it merging with the football league.


Think i might have the bug back for NL football this year. Cricket season will keep me busy until September though!

[double d]

Yeah i don't even consider the conference non-league anymore. It's certainly, bar a few of the smaller clubs, nothing like the non league i know! Wouldn't be against it merging with the football league.


Think i might have the bug back for NL football this year. Cricket season will keep me busy until September though!

But it is non league though. All to their own but I would much rather pay my money and go watch a conference game personally then anything lower then that.

[Royal Rother]

By strict definition yes, but watching 2 teams of highly trained super-fit footballers who get paid a living wage for playing the game is not being a non league fan In my eyes.

Not really.

That sounds disrespectful I suppose - I don't mean it to. Enjoy the game anyway!

[Four Of Clubs]

... fair number of local PSFs this midweek too - plenty of sides that wouldn't normally meet outside of favourable cup draws

...these are scheduled for THIS evening Tue 26th:

AFC Aldermaston v Andover New Street
AFC Hayes v Ascot United
Beaconsfield SYCOB v Slough Town
Bedfont Sports FC v Staines Lammas FC
Camberley Town FC v Bagshot FC
Chinnor FC v Holmer Green (7pm)
Didcot v Binfield
Fleet Spurs FC v Badshot Lea (7pm)
Godalming Town v Gosport Borough FC
Marlow FC v Harrow Borough
Risborough Rangers vs Aylesbury FC
Staines Town v Wealdstone
Thame United v Banbury United
Thatcham Town v Swindon Supermarine
Wantage Town v Highworth Town (7.30pm)
Whitchurch United FC v Infinity FC
Windsor v Flackwell Heath

[Top Flight]

Huge match this Sunday in Non League Football.

Wealdstone FC Vs. Marathon Bet Premier League Legends

Former Reading FC Greats who will be involved on the day include:

Glenn Little
Michael Duberry
Hayden Mullins

The legends team will be managed by Alan Curbishley and some of the legends that will turn out for them include Teddy Sheringham, Darren Anderton, Dion Dublin, Muzzy Izzet, Nigel Winterburn and Lauren.

Wealdstone won the competition to play the legends side to raise money for the club and for prostate cancer charity by having the best goal celebration in non league football last season.

Here it is https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/wealdstone-raider-returns-gazza-inspired-143738178.html
(You can see ex Reading yoof, Scott Davies spray one of the bottles of vodka in to the Raiders mouth)

The match takes places at Wealdstone FC’s Grosvenor Vale stadium (HA4 6JQ) on July 31.

Full details of the game and who will play is right here.

http://www.wealdstone-fc.com/2016/posts/stones-v-marathon-bet-premier-league-legends-sun-31-july/

Hopefully there will be a few Reading fans at the game on Sunday. Should be a good laugh on a Sunday afternoon if you live local to the Ruislip area in West London and you have nothing else to do.

[John Smith]

Huge match this Sunday in Non League Football.

Wealdstone FC Vs. Marathon Bet Premier League Legends

Former Reading FC Greats who will be involved on the day include:

Glenn Little
Michael Duberry
Hayden Mullins

The legends team will be managed by Alan Curbishley and some of the legends that will turn out for them include Teddy Sheringham, Darren Anderton, Dion Dublin, Muzzy Izzet, Nigel Winterburn and Lauren.

Wealdstone won the competition to play the legends side to raise money for the club and for prostate cancer charity by having the best goal celebration in non league football last season.

Here it is https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/wealdstone-raider-returns-gazza-inspired-143738178.html
(You can see ex Reading yoof, Scott Davies spray one of the bottles of vodka in to the Raiders mouth)

The match takes places at Wealdstone FC’s Grosvenor Vale stadium (HA4 6JQ) on July 31.

Full details of the game and who will play is right here.

http://www.wealdstone-fc.com/2016/posts/stones-v-marathon-bet-premier-league-legends-sun-31-july/

Hopefully there will be a few Reading fans at the game on Sunday. Should be a good laugh on a Sunday afternoon if you live local to the Ruislip area in West London and you have nothing else to do.

You've redeemed yourself with this post. Well done.

[Four Of Clubs]

.... here's today's NL PSF matches locally :

Saturday 30th July

AFC Rushden & Diamonds v Didcot Town - Dale Roberts Mem Cup
Aldershot Town v Crawley Town
Andover Town v Andover New Street
Ardley United v Bedford Town
Ashford Town (Middlesex) v Barnet Reserves
Beaconsfield SYCOB v Flackwell Heath (11.0am) at Bisham Abbey
Brackley Town v Oxford City
Camberley Town v Uxbridge
Carterton v Marlow
CB Hounslow v Staines Lammas
Chalfont Wasps v Southall (2.0pm)
Cheshunt v Chesham ( will now be played at Chesham United.)
Colliers Wood United v Sheerwater
Dorking v Chertsey Town @ The Big Field, Kiln Lane, Brockham, RH3 4LZ
Easington Sports v Daventry Town
Eastleigh v Northampton Town
Eversley & California v Godalming & Farncombe
Farnborough v Kingstonian
Fleet Spurs v Finchampstead
Fleet Town v Slough Town
Four Marks v Yateley United (2pm)
Frimley Green v Hartley Witney XI (HW mixed squad 1sts & Res)
Guernsey v Basingstoke Town
Hampton & Richmond Borough v Dulwich Hamlet
Hook Norton v Bicester Town
Hungerford Town v Bristol City XI
Knaphill v Fairford Town (Res 1pm & 1st 3pm ) @ Lion Pk Bisley
Leatherhead v AFC Hornchurch
Liss Athletic v Gosport Borough
Lyne v Walton and Hersham XI
Maidenhead United v Wycombe Wanderers
Malmesbury Victoria v Tytherington Rocks
Oxford City Nomads v Hartley Wintney XI (HW mixed squad 1sts & Res)
Peacehaven & Telescombe v Highmoor Ibis (2pm 1st + 4pm Res)
Pitstone & Ivinghoe vs New Bradwell St Peter
Risborough Rangers v Chinnor
Salisbury v Weymouth
Tadley Calleva v Shrivenham (2.30pm at Everest College 3G
Tring Athletic v Aylesbury United
Wantage Town v Blackfield & Langley
Windsor v Bracknell Town
Wraysbury v Bedfont & Feltham ( The Memorial Ground) (2pm)



.. went to a couple of friendlies this midweek just gone - each game was thoroughly entertaining for different reasons:
Tuesday at AWE saw Aldermaston 3-4 Andover New Street - real ding-dong - two sides that regularly struggle at the wrong end of their respective leagues - both with very useful forward lines on show and correspondingly awful defences - could have ended 11-12 !
Thursday far more correct and proper stuff; Binfield bravely took on Hungerford - was a good training exercise for both sides - in truth 'Moles' got a bit of a going over (0-4) , both due to the quality of opposition (which included Bignall and Leigertwood - who came on for a 'roll-the-clock back' 30 min cameo ) and the tactical nous of Bobby W. He changed quite a few things around during the game - given the luxury of lower level opponents.
- At one point Binfield reacted to fairly drastic formation change, having conceded two quick goals as a result, only for the visitors to almost immediately switch back again! They are unlikely to encounter that sort of opponent often, if at all, at their level but they probably learned quite a lot about themselves and in fairness to them worked tirelessly.

..season starts 'in earnest' this midweek with the CCL, Hellenic and others at STEP05/06 starting up, to get a match in before the first round (extra Preliminary) of the FA Cup next weekend. More of that to follow......

[Four Of Clubs]

...took a while to gather the results from this Sat - and a fair number still not being reported on, as well as some fairly late call-offs - here's what I have gathered;

Saturday 30th July

AFC Rushden & Diamonds 0-1 Didcot Town - Dale Roberts Mem Cup
Aldershot Town 0-0 Crawley Town
Andover Town 5-0 Andover New Street
Ardley United 3-7 {SEVEN} Bedford Town
Brackley Town 3-1 Oxford City
Camberley Town 2-1 Uxbridge
Chalfont Wasps 0-8 {EIGHT} Southall
Cheshunt 1-1 Chesham
Colliers Wood United 2-2 Sheerwater
Dorking 2-2 Chertsey Town
Easington Sports 1-1 Daventry Town
Eastleigh 4-1 Northampton Town
Farnborough 2-2 Kingstonian
Fleet Spurs 1-3 Finchampstead
Fleet Town 1-2 Slough Town
Guernsey 0-3 Basingstoke Town
Hampton & Richmond Borough 2-3 Dulwich Hamlet
Hungerford Town 0-1 Bristol City XI/u21s
Knaphill 0-1 Fairford Town
Leatherhead 1-0 AFC Hornchurch
Maidenhead United 1-4 Wycombe Wanderers
Malmesbury Victoria 2-1 Tytherington Rocks
Peacehaven & Telescombe P-P Highmoor Ibis (H/I reportedly called off on Friday evening)
Pitstone & Ivinghoe 1-7 {SEVEN} New Bradwell St Peter
Risborough Rangers 2-0 Chinnor
Tadley Calleva 2-0 Shrivenham
Tring Athletic 0-0 Aylesbury United
Wantage Town 0-2 Blackfield & Langley
Windsor 1-1 Bracknell Town
Wraysbury 1-2 Bedfont & Feltham

... got to a couple of games over the w/e:
- a friendly at Cricklade who are returning to County Level football after taking a year or so out - not much change at their ground very basic but quite an adequate Sports Centre with a comfy if over air-conditioned Bar. Were beaten 1-4 by Clanfield '85 from the Hellenic One West.
- yesterday (Sunday) I went over to the aforementioned Clanfield about half-way between Swindon & Oxford - south of Witney - for the Final of their annual Memorial Cup. This year the Final was between the hosts near neighbours Carterton and what turned out to be Oxford City Nomads 'Development' squad - including a fair number of u17s.
Carterton were bigger stronger and wiser and eventually won 4-1 but not before the young Nomads gave them a good run around for about an hour.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
...and there are a few 'local' league games on in STEP05/06 this midweek - mostly for clubs who feel the need for a competitive game before their FA Cup Extra Preliminary Ties this coming weekend.

Tue 2nd Aug
CCLP
19:30 Badshot Lea v Farnham
HELLP
Ascot United v Highmoor-Ibis
Flackwell Heath v Bracknell Town
Henley Town v Binfield
Thame United v Burnham
Thatcham Town v Ardley United
[Wed] Royal Wootton Bassett v Carterton
HELL1W
Abingdon Utd v Fairford Town
Milton Utd v Hook Norton

WESSP
Andover Town v Sholing
[Wed] Whitchurch Utd v Amesbury
WESS1
Alton v Tadley Calleva

[LWJ]

- yesterday (Sunday) I went over to the aforementioned Clanfield about half-way between Swindon & Oxford - south of Witney - for the Final of their annual Memorial Cup. This year the Final was between the hosts near neighbours Carterton and what turned out to be Oxford City Nomads 'Development' squad - including a fair number of u17s.
Carterton were bigger stronger and wiser and eventually won 4-1 but not before the young Nomads gave them a good run around for about an hour.

Did City have a young goalie in? U18? If so he is Oxford United's graduate who just got offered his first contract, any good? He's a family friend.

[Four Of Clubs]

Did City have a young goalie in? U18? If so he is Oxford United's graduate who just got offered his first contract, any good? He's a family friend.

...could well have done - he certainly looked young - his kicking wasn't great and his throwing out led to a few hairy moments for his wide players but overall he did OK - could not really be faulted for any of the goals as by the 2nd half his back four were decidedly played out.

Sadly no prog issued this year - I'm sure they have done in the past - so no line ups available - doubt if there's a match report but Nomads might have posted one so you could have a browse around the OCFC site?

[Royal Rother]

Thame Utd 8-1 Burnham

Doesn't look like it's getting any better!

[Four Of Clubs]

Thame Utd 8-1 Burnham

Doesn't look like it's getting any better!

...must confess I half-expected a scoreline like this, when I noticed they'd succumbed 0-4 to AFC Aldermaston at the w/e.
- I also suspect Blues could be in for a very painful season and going by his previous career, I'm not sure their manager Dave Tuttle has enough about him to turn it around. Harsh perhaps this early but he does have a track-record of handling local sides that have gone into free-fall once he has the reins. (Henley, Bracknell, Newbury )

... fuller review of tonights games later - including a good if slightly surprising win for H/I at Ascot (ex-Windsor keeper Dennison sent off for Yellamen on his debut ); Moles edging Henley 2-1; Thatcham unexpectedly going down 0-1 at home to Ardley ...... and at the game I got to - much fancied Bracknell coming up short at last season's runners-up Flackwell in a real ding-dong contest at Magpie Lane, ended 3-1 to the hosts.

[Royalist]

Is the football club at Burnham funded by the complex they've got there? It COULD be one of the few local money spinners for a football club but its clearly not working out.

[Royal Rother]

U18s game tonight - Windsor 2-1 Hartley Wintney

I was there - of course. HW are (like us) a young team so the physical challenge was not a mismatch. Most 15 yo, with 2 or 3 16/17. Good game played in excellent spirit spoiled by the Carlsberg World Cup Advert referee Alan wotsisname.

Such an officious prick at times the game always has to be about him. Always looking to impose himself on players and supporters. Unnecessarily got into an argument with HW fan, sent him off, he wouldn't go as far away as instructed so he wouldn't restart the game.

Held it up for 10+ minutes. The HW guy ended up threatening him so he said he would call the police... It was all so completely OTT and ridiculous really; if he'd just dealt with it all with a bit of charm nothing would have happened. He's actually not a bad ref but so haughty how he deals with players and coaches that it just creates bad feeling. Allegedly year before last he got beaten up at a game and ended up in hospital with a fractured skull... legal case ongoing. No excuses for attacking a ref of course but dealing with a bunch of thugs on a Sunday morning (players or parents) as will often be the case you really do need to have a bit of humour and charm in your armoury. He has none unfortunately.

Anyway, I think I deserve a prize - maybe an anorak or something. I've now seen all 8 of Windsor 1st team PSFs and all 4 of the U18s PSFs.

[Royal Rother]

Interesting to see that Carl Dennison has miraculously recovered from the back injury 3 weeks ago that was going to keep him out for 12 weeks!

I wish him well, he's a good guy but always prone to a red card for one of his wild whole body but especially the feet lunges when he's misjudged a sprint off his line.

You'd think he would have held back a bit so he could start the bloody season properly though.

[Alan Partridge]

By strict definition yes, but watching 2 teams of highly trained super-fit footballers who get paid a living wage for playing the game is not being a non league fan In my eyes.

Not really.

That sounds disrespectful I suppose - I don't mean it to. Enjoy the game anyway!

Torquay aren't that they are very much non league in just about everything we do!!!

Looking forward to Diddy v Supermarine on saturday, good test against an always strong opposition first up but I half fancy Didcot to do well this year. Only lost 1 key player from last year and added some good ones. The better players have all remained and the biggest problem of scoring goals shouldn't be as big a problem this year with the massively average Janes leaving to be replaced by 2 proper strikers. Pre season has been a bit up and down but they've beaten the teams they should beat, also beat Slough convincingly so overall good. Saturday will be a good game.

[Four Of Clubs]

... here's a round-up of the first set of league matches played this midweek:

CCLP
AFC Hayes 1-0 CB Hounslow United
Badshot Lea 1-2 Farnham Town
Bedfont & Feltham 2-9 {NINE} Epsom & Ewell - was 2-0 to B&F at HT !
North Greenford United 1-2 Hanworth Villa
HELLP
Ascot United 1-2 Highmoor-Ibis
Brimscombe & Thrupp 0-2 Lydney Town
Flackwell Heath 3-1 Bracknell Town
Henley Town 1-2 Binfield
Longlevens AFC 1-1 Oxford City Nomads
{WED} Royal Wootton Bassett 2-3 Carterton
Thame United {EIGHT} 8-1 Burnham
Thatcham Town 0-1 Ardley United
Tuffley Rovers 2 - 1 Highworth Town - minor shock as last season's reprieved oufit overcomes another one of the strong tips to do well in 16-17
HELL1W
Abingdon United 2 - 1 Fairford Town - supposedly Ab Utd first league win in 2016 - against one of the favoured sides in this division to come up
Milton United 1 - 2 Hook Norton

WESSP
{MON} Team Solent A - A Alresford Town - abandoned serious player injury
Andover Town 0-1 Sholing
Bashley 1 - 0 Hamworthy United - probably Bash’s first league win in a fair while; certainly at home in the league. (Looked it up: last home win 11th Feb 2014 3-1 vs Chipp’num in the Southern Premier
{WED} Verwood Town 0 - 2 Portland United
{WED} Whitchurch United 0 - 3 Amesbury Town
...tidy away wins for both the promoted sides here.
WESS1
Alton 2-2 Tadley Calleva
Laverstock & Ford 5 - 0 Pewsey Vale

...will try and put up a big preview of this weekends' FA CUP Extra Preliminary Round; as well as the openers in the Vanarama & Evostik.
NOTE Ascot (vs Milton) and Thame (vs Abbey Rgrs) will both be in action with home ties on Friday evening.
There are also two all Wessex ties on tomorrow Sholing host Bournemouth (Poppies) and Lymington are at home to Poole-side Hamworthy, although the game is being held at Bashley's ground.