The Non - League thread

[Hoop Blah]

Id expect Flackwell & RG City to contend with one of the more westerly clubs maybe RWBT or B&T.

...Tonight I'm off to see what the new regime at Scours have provided on the pitch.

Quite a regulation win for City by the looks of the scoreline. How was if FoC? I'm assuming it was completely different and a lot more pleasant than a Highmoor game?

[Four Of Clubs]

Id expect Flackwell & RG City to contend with one of the more westerly clubs maybe RWBT or B&T.

...Tonight I'm off to see what the new regime at Scours have provided on the pitch.

Quite a regulation win for City by the looks of the scoreline. How was if FoC? I'm assuming it was completely different and a lot more pleasant than a Highmoor game?

...was actually quite even in the first 20' - Ab Utd had as many chances and could have easily led before the hosts grasped the initiative and the lead .

There are barely a few of last years squad/the former club remaining as well as a new management team. There is a feeling of some impetus on the pitch and the lad they've brought in from Oxford Utd, Muctaru Conte, is a sort of non-league Raheem Sterling in build and style - though he falls over the ball a lot less.... ..switched wings too and was equally effective from the left.

The forward line still revolves around Mitch Parker though - if he stays fit then I can see them being serious contenders.
Behaviourally there is evidently a real sea-change with no back-biting - cussing the officals nor - more significantly - internal squabbling - well only a minimal amount; which regularly soured the mood within an H/I line-up.
- is all fine of course in a winning team - be interesting how they'll take being up against it. It will need to be a fairly powerful outfit to dominate them though as they themselves look pretty strong across the squad.

Tonights (Tue) games threw up some intriguing scores in the Hellenic

- Windsor thrashed a very poor Shrivenham 6-1 - they look to be this season's whipping boys, though fellow One West promotees Ardley also shipped another 4 this time at Ascot.
Marcus Richardson's Flackwell were held at home by other new boys Virginia Water 1-1.
Holmer Green who started well enough on Sat, suffered a surprise home reverse to Brackley Saints
One other side maintaining 100% so far are RWBT who edged past Fairford 2-1
Relegated Bps Cleeve picked up a decent enough away win at Brimscomb - they might actually be a dark horse this term as no-one knows much about them what with them having a dozen years or so up in the Southern Leagues.

...I headed up to Alfredian Park and saw Roger's charges comprehensively blown away 4-1 by a very solid looking Wantage.
- what's more the hosts seem to have an embarrassment of riches in the forward line - always a good thing in this league.
They had at least three fairly sizeable central strikers on show throughout the game, all of whom possessed no lack of pace and power on the ball. Not sure if Binfield were missing any defenders but they were out-muscled constantly and found it hard to get out of their half.
I'm afraid success for the Moles could hinge upon using or uncovering some quicker feet/minds in the forward line - Davies and Johnson are a bit long in the tooth now and certainly looked impotent up against a fitter, quicker Wantage back-line.
The Freds seem to have picked up a few promising youngsters from last season's RWBT as well as a couple from the sadly defunct Nomads

Elsewhere:

NAT
Chesterfield 3-0 Aldersh!t
Solihull 1-0 Maidenhead
NATN
Brackley 3-1 Alfreton
NATS
Hungerford 1-1 Wealdstone att 435
Gloucester 1-0 Oxford C
Woking 2-1 St Albans - all the action (and some!) in the last 10' - StAlebuns led 1-0 on 80' ; Cards levelled on 82' Red card for visitors on 84' - winner for hosts on 86'

CCLP
Wins tonight for Guildford 1-0 over Camberley,
CB Hounslow 4-1 v W&H - could be an outside bet what with their new ground opened last season now up to speed -
Southall picked up a useful 2-0 win at AFC Hayes and
Chertsey have started well - a 2nd win 1-0 at home to Hanworth - they join 4 others on 100% : 2 from 2 - Abbey Rgrs, Balham Banstead Ath and SCR
- promoted clubs Cobham and Baggy Lea yet to got off the mark both lost again tonight and sit bottom behind other currently 'pointless' sides Camberley, Redhill and AFC Hayes.

WESSP
Tadley 3-0 Bemerton - impressive start continues 100% and 2nd behind Sholing who won 3-1 tonight at Alresford

[Old Man Andrews]

Binfield took a hammering last night which was a bit of a surprise. Wantage were one of the pre-season favourites but I thought Binfield would have had more about them.

[Bonzodog]

At Hungerford v Wealdstone last night for an enjoyable 1-1 draw. Decent crowd helped by about 150 from the visitors. Pitch is very poor with bare patches down the flanks. Hungerford very limited but extremely committed defended well marshalled by Rusby and player manager Herring. Very lightweight going forward managing to draw level thanks to a soft second half penalty. The 16 year old goalkeeper on loan from Reading looks a very decent prospect.

[Four Of Clubs]

Here's this w/e's NL fixtures - incl southern part of the FA Cup extra-Prelim Round - KOs round here tonight at the Racecourse Groudn where Ascot welcome Camberley:

Saturday 11th August

FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round

Zone 7
100 Oxhey Jets v Wantage Town
101 Tuffley Rovers v Colney Heath
{Fri 10th} 102 Winslow United v Easington Sports
103 Harpenden Town v Edgware Town
104 Hadley v Fairford Town
105 Brackley Town Saints v London Colney
106 London Lions v Wembley
107 Windsor v Highworth Town
108 Bishops Cleeve v Stotfold
109 A.F.C. Hayes v Lydney Town
110 Flackwell Heath v North Greenford United
111 Tring Athletic v Berkhamsted
{Sun 12th} 112 Southall v Leverstock Green @Ashford T (Mx)
113 Holmer Green v Longlevens
114 Ardley United v Shortwood United
115 Holyport v Brimscombe & Thrupp
116 Abingdon United v Burnham
117 Crawley Green v Woodley United
118 Reading City v Chipping Sodbury Town
119 Leighton Town v Royal Wootton Bassett Town

Zone 8
120 Arundel v Chertsey Town
{Sun 12th} 121 Sutton Common Rovers v C.B. Hounslow United
122 Broadbridge Heath v Shoreham
{Sun 12th } 123 Langney Wanderers v Epsom & Ewell @ Eastbourne Boro
124 Bearsted v Chichester City
125 Redhill v Horley Town
126 A.F.C. Croydon Athletic v Rochester United
127 Spelthorne Sports v Peacehaven & Telescombe
128 Hassocks v Erith Town
129 Worthing United v Littlehampton Town
{Sun 12th } 13:00 130 Little Common v Bedfont Sports @ Eastbourne Utd Ass.
131 Crowborough Athletic v Hanworth Villa
132 Raynes Park Vale v Lingfield
133 A.F.C. Uckfield Town v Glebe
134 Abbey Rangers v Newhaven
135 Cobham v Sheppey United
136 Fisher v Horsham Y.M.C.A.
137 Loxwood v Hollands & Blair
138 Sevenoaks Town v Lordswood
139 Crawley Down Gatwick v Three Bridges
140 Eastbourne United v Hackney Wick
{Sun 12th} 141 Cray Valley (P.M.) v Eastbourne Town
142 Croydon v Tunbridge Wells
143 Erith & Belvedere v Saltdean United
144 Haywards Heath Town v Lancing
{Sun 12th} 145 Rusthall v Wick @ T.Wells FC
146 East Preston v Balham
147 K Sports v Pagham
148 Deal Town v Whitstable Town
149 Broadfields United v Banstead Athletic
150 Chatham Town v Walton & Hersham
151 Corinthian v Canterbury City
152 Beckenham Town v Colliers Wood United

Zone 9
153 Hamworthy United v Team Solent
154 Melksham Town v Badshot Lea
155 A.F.C. Stoneham v A.F.C. Portchester
156 Newport (IoW) v Amesbury Town
157 Knaphill v Sholing
158 Guildford City v Petersfield Town
159 Tadley Calleva v Baffins Milton Rovers
160 Bemerton Heath Harlequins v Cowes Sports
161 Andover New Street v Romsey Town
162 United Services Portsmouth v Andover Town
163 Horndean v Godalming Town
164 Hamble Club v Alresford Town
165 Farnham Town v Binfield
166 Brockenhurst v Christchurch
167 Bashley v Bournemouth
168 Fareham Town v Frimley Green
{Fri 10th} 169 Ascot United v Camberley Town
170 Sandhurst Town v Lymington Town

Zone 10
171 Clevedon Town v Portland United
172 Westbury United v Cribbs
173 Hallen v Longwell Green Sports
174 Wells City v Shaftesbury Town
175 Bodmin Town v Keynsham Town
176 Cheddar v Bridgwater Town
177 Shepton Mallet v Willand Rovers
178 Bitton v Tavistock
179 Buckland Athletic v Pewsey Vale
180 Bridport v Wellington A.F.C.
181 Hengrove Athletic v Plymouth Parkway
182 Saltash United v Odd Down
183 Brislington v Cadbury Heath
184 Bradford Town v Roman Glass St George

NAT
Dagenham & Redbridge v Maidenhead United
Solihull Moors v Aldershot Town
NATN
Brackley Town v Darlington
NATS
Billericay Town v Wealdstone
Chippenham Town v Welling United
Dartford v Hemel Hempstead Town
Dulwich Hamlet v Concord Rangers
Eastbourne Borough v Truro City
Gloucester City v Slough Town
Hampton & Richmond Borough v Bath City
Hungerford Town v Chelmsford City
Torquay United v East Thurrock United
Weston-super-Mare v St Albans City
Woking v Oxford City


IL Premier
Bishop's Stortford v Dorking Wanderers
IL 1 South Central
Ashford Town (Middx) v Hertford Town
Bracknell Town v Waltham Abbey
Chalfont St Peter v Chipstead
Cheshunt v Hayes & Yeading United
Egham Town v Hanwell Town
Marlow v Molesey
Northwood v Tooting & Mitcham United
Uxbridge v Westfield
Ware v South Park

SL Premier South
Beaconsfield Town v Salisbury
Chesham United v Merthyr Town
Farnborough v Wimborne Town
Harrow Borough v Weymouth
Poole Town v Hartley Wintney
Swindon Supermarine v Tiverton Town
Taunton Town v Staines Town
Walton Casuals v Basingstoke Town

...Div One's don't KO til next Sat (18th)

CCL1
British Airways v Bagshot
Chessington & Hook United v Ash United
Dorking Wanderers Reserves v Bedfont & Feltham
Eversley & California v AC London (provisional) – appeal ongoing - but match provisionally goes according to E&C tweets
FC Deportivo Galicia v Tooting Bec
Fleet Spurs v Sheerwater
Kensington Borough v Cove

HELLP
Shrivenham v Virginia Water
HELL1E
Chalvey Sports v Penn & Tylers Green @ Slough FC

WESS1
New Milton Town v Whitchurch United

...Plan A is Crawley Gn v Woodley Utd - in theory this ought to be taking place at Luton FCs new Training facility (Brache Stadium) - as ever the FullTime site is up to speed and currently showing it at last season's home for CG - Barton Rovers - hoping both clubs' tweets are correct and the new venue is correct.
Significant part of the FocCers family away bellringing on Lundy (don't ask ) for a few days, so that means I might get in a sneaky if long-range, double on Sun PM - attempting both Cup games back-to-back at Eastbourne

[Tony Le Mesmer]

FAC Extra Prelim Rnd
Ardley United 7 - 0 Shortwood United.
At: 95

Hosts dominated throughout. Shortwood resigned from Southern League last year and had a team full of kids.

Contender for easiest ground to find. Literally a stones throw from J10 of the M40.

[AthleticoSpizz]

Yesterdays ex-Royals NL trivia should it be of any vague interest:

Curo scores for Bishops Stortford
Brayson scores for Newcastle Benfield
Jobi Mcduff gets motm for Leyton Orient
and Lee Hodges resigns as manager of Truro

[Four Of Clubs]

Scores from this w/e:

Saturday 11th August

FA Cup Extra Preliminary

Zone 7
100 Oxhey Jets 3-4 Wantage Town
101 Tuffley Rovers 1-4 Colney Heath
{Fri 10th} 102 Winslow United 2-2 Easington Sports
103 Harpenden Town 1-0 Edgware Town
104 Hadley 2-0 Fairford Town
105 Brackley Town Saints 1-0 London Colney
106 London Lions 2-1 Wembley
107 Windsor 3-3 Highworth Town– two goals for the hosts from 'Robins' (Bracknell) loanee Daniel Roberts – who also had Gould sent off on 69’. Veteran marksman Edenborough rescued ‘The Worthians’ with a leveller and his 2nd deep in stoppage time.
- replay Wed 15th for the chance to travel to the Corinium to face Ciren. Town

108 Bishops Cleeve 5-2 Stotfold
109 A.F.C. Hayes 1-2 Lydney Town
110 Flackwell Heath 0-2 North Greenford United
111 Tring Athletic 0-2 Berkhamsted
{Sun 12th} 112 Southall 0-1 Leverstock Green
113 Holmer Green 0-1 Longlevens
114 Ardley United (SEVEN) 7-0 Shortwood United
115 Holyport 1-2 Brimscombe & Thrupp
116 Abingdon United 2-2 Burnham replay Tue 14th
117 Crawley Green (SEVEN) 7-1) Woodley United
- got to this – eventually – is at Luton Town’s spruced up new training facility at the Brache Stadium virtually under the end of the airport runway close to M1 jn 9
- Woodley actually led and were competing until just before HT, when their keeper was injured in an accidental clash. He didn’t re-emerge for the 2nd half when the visitors shipped 5 goals.

118 Reading City 1-1 Chipping Sodbury Town att 146 replay Tue 14th
119 Leighton Town 0-1 Royal Wootton Bassett Town

Zone 8
120 Arundel 4-1 Chertsey Town
{Sun 12th} 121 Sutton Common Rovers 0-2 C.B. Hounslow United
122 Broadbridge Heath 0-2 Shoreham
{Sun 12th } 123 Langney Wanderers 1-2 Epsom & Ewell @ Eastbourne Boro
- Was at this as the 2nd part of our Eastbourne ‘double’ on Sun – STEP06 ‘Salts’ did well to cause a minor upset and progress to the next round. Odd ground very low slung, with seats only a sub 5’ would fit comfortably in.

124 Bearsted 2-1 Chichester City
125 Redhill 1-3 Horley Town
126 A.F.C. Croydon Athletic 5-0 Rochester United
127 Spelthorne Sports 3-0 Peacehaven & Telescombe
128 Hassocks 1-3 Erith Town
129 Worthing United 1-1 Littlehampton Town
{Sun 12th } 13:00 130 Little Common 2-2 Bedfont Sports @ Eastbourne Utd Ass. Replay Tue 15th
- The first in the Sunday double – arr just after KO thanks to long queues on the A27 East at the Firle Vintage Festival. Ground is almost on the seafront in Princes Park – adequate facilities for STEP05 – visitors far superior but lost a CB to a last man challenge just before HT – re-took the lead and should have won comfortably but conceded in injury time to a 'keeper-up-for-a-corner' scrambled goal.
- We’d just left the ground to head up to the 15:00 KO – heard the cheers as we reached the car.

131 Crowborough Athletic 1-1 Hanworth Villa replay Tue 14th
132 Raynes Park Vale 3-0 Lingfield
133 A.F.C. Uckfield Town 1-0 Glebe
134 Abbey Rangers 0-4 Newhaven
135 Cobham 1-0 Sheppey United
136 Fisher 1-2 Horsham Y.M.C.A.
137 Loxwood 2-1 Hollands & Blair
138 Sevenoaks Town 6-1 Lordswood
139 Crawley Down Gatwick 0-1 Three Bridges
140 Eastbourne United 0-2 Hackney Wick
{Sun 12th} 141 Cray Valley (P.M.) 3-2 Eastbourne Town
142 Croydon 2-2 Tunbridge Wells
143 Erith & Belvedere 0-0 Saltdean United
144 Haywards Heath Town 0-2 Lancing
{Sun 12th} 145 Rusthall 3-0 Wick
146 East Preston 0-2 Balham
147 K Sports 2-2 Pagham
148 Deal Town 2-2 Whitstable Town
149 Broadfields United 3-0 Banstead Athletic
150 Chatham Town 3-1 Walton & Hersham
151 Corinthian 3-0 Canterbury City
152 Beckenham Town 1-1 Colliers Wood United replay Tue 14th

Zone 9
153 Hamworthy United 3-2 Team Solent
154 Melksham Town 4-0 Badshot Lea
155 A.F.C. Stoneham 0-0 A.F.C. Portchester
156 Newport (IoW) 3-1 Amesbury Town
157 Knaphill 0-3 Sholing
158 Guildford City 0-1 Petersfield Town
159 Tadley Calleva 1-3 Baffins Milton Rovers
160 Bemerton Heath Harlequins 1-0 Cowes Sports
161 Andover New Street 4-0 Romsey Town
162 United Services Portsmouth 5-2 Andover Town
163 Horndean 5-0 Godalming Town
164 Hamble Club 1-1 Alresford Town replay Tue 14th
165 Farnham Town v Binfield 1-2 att 107 – early goals from I Davies and Santoro enough to take Moles through to next round where they host the winners of Brockenhurst or Christchurch
166 Brockenhurst 2-2 Christchurch
167 Bashley 0-2 Bournemouth
168 Fareham Town 1-2 Frimley Green – bit of an upset here as FG beat a STEP5 club – they’ll travel to Sandhurst or Lymington in the Preliminary
{Fri 10th} 169 Ascot United 2-1 Camberley Town att 277 good turn-out for the Yellamen: have a tricky tie hosting Horndean from the Wessex Prem
170 Sandhurst Town 1-1 Lymington Town replay Wed 15th @ New Milton

Zone 10
171 Clevedon Town 1-2 Portland United
172 Westbury United 3-0 Cribbs
173 Hallen 0-0 Longwell Green Sports
174 Wells City 2-5 Shaftesbury Town
175 Bodmin Town 4-4 Keynsham Town
176 Cheddar 3-2 Bridgwater Town
177 Shepton Mallet 1-1 Willand Rovers
178 Bitton (SEVEN) 7-0 Tavistock
179 Buckland Athletic 3-0 Pewsey Vale – initially thought Vale had pulled of a shock but true to previous staggeringly inept form, the FA had published the scores reversed on Sat PM!
180 Bridport 0-0 Wellington A.F.C.
181 Hengrove Athletic 1-5 Plymouth Parkway
182 Saltash United 1-0 Odd Down
183 Brislington 1-2 Cadbury Heath
184 Bradford Town 5-2 Roman Glass St George


NAT
Dagenham & Redbridge 2-2 Maidenhead United - visitors led twice – Nana Owusu put Magpies 1-2 in front on 81’ but Daggers levelled on 87’ – host Wrexham on Tue evening
Solihull Moors 1-0 Aldershot Town – Moors stay on 100% - Sh!ts yet to get off the mark – host Daggers tomorrow (Tue) at The Rec.
NATN
Brackley Town 2-4 Darlington
NATS
Billericay Town 1-0 Wealdstone
Chippenham Town 1-4 Welling United
Dartford 0-0 Hemel Hempstead Town
Dulwich Hamlet 0-1 Concord Rangers
Eastbourne Borough 2-2 Truro City
Gloucester City 1-2 Slough Town - Rebels up and running with a good win, goals from Togwell and Ben Harris; host W-S-M tomorrow night
Hampton & Richmond Borough 0-1 Bath City
Hungerford Town 0-6 Chelmsford City - Rusby sent off on 64’ but City were already four up by then. 'Crusaders' have a tough trip to Hemel tomorrow night
Torquay United 2-0 East Thurrock United
Weston-super-Mare 2-3 St Albans City
Woking 3-2 Oxford City – City reduced to 8 men by the 88’- had drawn level @ 2-2 on 62’ – welcome The Gulls to Court Place on Tue evening - Cards beaten 0-1 at Wealdstone on Monday evening


IL Premier
Bishop's Stortford 1-1 Dorking Wanderers- J Cureton for the hosts
IL 1 South Central
Ashford Town (Middx) 1-1 Hertford Town
Bracknell Town 1-0 Waltham Abbey - att 236 – Ferdinand hit the winner on 77’
Chalfont St Peter 0-2 Chipstead
Cheshunt 3-3 Hayes & Yeading United
Egham Town 0-2 Hanwell Town
Marlow 3-0 Molesey – two for Samuel and one for Devontae Romeo takes Blues top
Northwood 4-3 Tooting & Mitcham United
Uxbridge 2-2 Westfield
Ware 2-1 South Park

SL Premier South
Beaconsfield Town 2-2 Salisbury – newly promoted 'Rams' trailed 0-2 on 70’ – goals from Eccleston and a Charlie Losasso pen on 80’ saved a point – they visit the Camrose on Tue evening
Chesham United 0-3 Merthyr Town – some payback for the 1-13 reverse the Martyrs suffered here back in November last year – though their issues back then were hardly Chesham’s fault
Farnborough 3-1 Wimborne Town
Harrow Borough 2-3 Weymouth
Poole Town 1-3 Hartley Wintney – impressive opening win for HW in their first ever game at this level – host Gosport B on Tuesday
Swindon Supermarine 0-1 Tiverton Town
Taunton Town 4-0 Staines Town
Walton Casuals 3-3 Basingstoke Town – ‘Casuals’ rescued a point on 93’

CCL1
DIVISION ONE
British Airways 1-2 Bagshot - rare win for Bagshot - even rarer - reports suggesting BA are actually worse than their visitors - might be stating the bleedin' obvious I know but Bagshot have been seriously bad since they stepped up to the CCL

Chessington & Hook United 3-3 Ash United
Dorking Wanderers Reserves 3-3 Bedfont & Feltham
Eversley & California 2-0 AC London
FC Deportivo Galicia 0-1 Tooting Bec
Fleet Spurs 0-2 Sheerwater
Kensington Borough 3-1 Cove

HELLP
Shrivenham 1-1 Virginia Water
HELL1E
Chalvey Sports 4-0 Penn & Tylers Green

WESS1
New Milton Town 3-1 Whitchurch United – put the Jam Boys firmly in the bottom four with no points but they clambered clear this evening (Mon) with a battling 1-0 win over bottom club Andover in front of a healthy crowd of 138
– both clubs tried to play decent football but looked a bit shot-shy and lacking any confidence in front of goal (sound familiar?) – however on this performance I’d expect they’ll both pull clear of any trouble before long

[Rea Ding]

I went to the FA cup tie at Scours Lane to have a look at Reading City take on Chipping Sodbury. The ground was tidy and had a fair attendance, a few more 'Sods' fans than I would of thought. RC took the lead and things looked rosy until the Sods equalised as the long ball proved too much for Reading's slow defence. CS then conceded a penalty and went down to 10 men, yet the pen was saved. Overall, a decent hard fought first half. The second half was a different story as CS were compact and strong frustrating RC, tensions boiled over between both teams and internal rifts in RC. The game finished 1-1 and I fear for Reading City if things go against them as they fell apart to the extent of physical altercations. However, a decent team and crowd could lead to promotion if they become a team.

[Green]

a few more 'Sods' fans than I would of thought.

I dunno there are quite a few Berkshire Sods

[Four Of Clubs]

... Reading City lose FA Cup replay at Chipping Sodbury 1-2 aet.

...elsewhere Burnham progress beating Ab Utd 2-0

Some odd results in the Hellenic tonight ; with Brackley Saints staying on 100% winning 2-0 v the Stag Meadow lodgers (VW)
Wantage go top,with a 3-1 win at Ardley
Holmer Gn edge past Ascot 1-0
Bps Cleeve wallop previously impressive RWBT 5-1 to grab 2nd
Marcus R's lot (Flackwell) get a much needed 3 points at Shrivenham winning 1-0

... in another Cup replay Div 1 Easington bt Winslow from the SSM1 2-0

There were plenty of matches at STEPS 1,2 & 3 tonight, may do a fuller round up later - in summary:

Sh!ts won; Maidenhead lost 0-2 v Wrexham
Hungerford held out for a point in a stalemate at Hemel; Oxford City btTorquay 1-0 & Sluff came from behind to register their 2nd win 2-1 vs W-S-M.

[Rea Ding]

Far too early to start commenting on table etc. but has anyone been to Maidenhead yet ? Is their slow start down to misfortune and early season mistakes or could they be in for a tough season with 4 relo spots up for grab

[Old Man Andrews]

Far too early to start commenting on table etc. but has anyone been to Maidenhead yet ? Is their slow start down to misfortune and early season mistakes or could they be in for a tough season with 4 relo spots up for grab

Yeah think this will be a long, hard season for them. Can see them going down to be honest, National League is probably a level above where they should be in terms of budget and infrastructure. They have done great to get there though and should just enjoy it while it lasts.

[Sutekh]

Far too early to start commenting on table etc. but has anyone been to Maidenhead yet ? Is their slow start down to misfortune and early season mistakes or could they be in for a tough season with 4 relo spots up for grab

Yeah think this will be a long, hard season for them. Can see them going down to be honest, National League is probably a level above where they should be in terms of budget and infrastructure. They have done great to get there though and should just enjoy it while it lasts.

Also aren't Maidenhead pretty much the only part timers in the National League?

[Sutekh]

And this season BBC Berks are actually recognising there are other non league teams in the region beyond the National Leagues. Well at least they're mentioning the likes of Windsor and Burnham and even Reading City in the FA Cup anyway. Interesting to see if any mention might be made of them on Saturday when it's just league games.

[Old Man Andrews]

Far too early to start commenting on table etc. but has anyone been to Maidenhead yet ? Is their slow start down to misfortune and early season mistakes or could they be in for a tough season with 4 relo spots up for grab

Yeah think this will be a long, hard season for them. Can see them going down to be honest, National League is probably a level above where they should be in terms of budget and infrastructure. They have done great to get there though and should just enjoy it while it lasts.

Also aren't Maidenhead pretty much the only part timers in the National League?

Would think there would be a few other that wouldn't be fully full time as yet, the newly promoted clubs possibly. I think it is good that the Maidenhead owners recognise that going full time is beyond them at this stage, sensible.

[Rea Ding]

Far too early to start commenting on table etc. but has anyone been to Maidenhead yet ? Is their slow start down to misfortune and early season mistakes or could they be in for a tough season with 4 relo spots up for grab

Yeah think this will be a long, hard season for them. Can see them going down to be honest, National League is probably a level above where they should be in terms of budget and infrastructure. They have done great to get there though and should just enjoy it while it lasts.

Yes they certainly have had an amazing couple of years, I will hope to get down and watch the probally in September sometime

[Tony Le Mesmer]

Far too early to start commenting on table etc. but has anyone been to Maidenhead yet ? Is their slow start down to misfortune and early season mistakes or could they be in for a tough season with 4 relo spots up for grab

Yeah think this will be a long, hard season for them. Can see them going down to be honest, National League is probably a level above where they should be in terms of budget and infrastructure. They have done great to get there though and should just enjoy it while it lasts.

Yes they certainly have had an amazing couple of years, I will hope to get down and watch the probally in September sometime

Maidenhead in for a season of struggle im afraid. They have lost several of their best players since promotion and are rebuilding with players who look a level below to my eye. That's a huge ask against teams with a far greater budget.

Last season I think there were only 2 true part time teams in the division, Maidenhead and Halifax. Halifax have now gone FT. Gateshead might now be PT, possibly Braintree as well.

[Royal Rother]

Excellent FA Cup Replay win by Windsor away at level higher Highworth Town, having somewhat unfortunately drawn 3-3 on Saturday. (2-1 down, Windsor player sent off, somehow went 3-2 up only to let in a 95th minute equaliser.)

Rather thought that was our chance gone but a battling performance after being 2-0 up in 15 mins saw us through last night.

A promising start to the season so far.

[Four Of Clubs]

Excellent FA Cup Replay win by Windsor away at level higher Highworth Town

...Yup - was there too - M4 well behaved - arr. nice and early - no progs tho' : suspect cba-ness on the part of the hosts.

Wouldn't read too much into that performance but plenty of credit due to Windsor.
- Highworth looked very undercooked and rusty - if that's possible - Windsor battled hard - keep that up and they won't/shouldn't get steam-rollered by as many bullies in the Hellenic Premier this season, as they were last.
Sobte in great form as always - but both sides guilty of some horrendous missed chances/poor ball retention coming forward.

Good test at Ciren Town in the next round - for Windsor's sake may they be as badly prepared as Highworth looked here on the night?

NL Fixtures for tomorrow:

Saturday 18th August

NAT
Aldershot Town v Harrogate Town
Hartlepool United v Maidenhead United
NATN
Ashton United v Brackley Town
NATS
Bath City v Dulwich Hamlet
Billericay Town v Weston-super-Mare
Concord Rangers v Hungerford Town
Dartford v Wealdstone
Eastbourne Borough v Chippenham Town
Gloucester City v East Thurrock United
Hampton & Richmond Borough v Chelmsford City
Hemel Hempstead Town v Woking
Oxford City v St Albans City
Slough Town v Torquay United
Truro City v Welling United

IL Premier
Dorking Wanderers v Lewes
IL South Central
Chipstead v Ashford Town (Middx)
Hanwell Town v Bedfont Sports
Hayes & Yeading United v Egham Town
Hertford Town v Chalfont St Peter
Molesey v Bracknell Town
Tooting & Mitcham United v Marlow
Westfield v Ware

SL Premier South
Basingstoke Town v Poole Town
Hartley Wintney v Frome Town
Hendon v Farnborough
Staines Town v Chesham United
Weymouth v Beaconsfield Town
SL One Central
Aylesbury United v Kempston Rovers
Coleshill Town v Aylesbury
Kidlington v Bedford Town
North Leigh v Dunstable Town
Sutton Coldfield Town v Thame United
Welwyn Garden City v Didcot Town
SL One South
Highworth Town v AFC Totton
Mangotsfield United v Winchester City
Street v Fleet Town
Thatcham Town v Yate Town

CCL Premier
AFC Hayes v Horley Town
Badshot Lea v Sutton Common Rovers @ Camberley
CB Hounslow United v Banstead Athletic
Chertsey Town v Raynes Park Vale
Cobham v Hanworth Villa
Colliers Wood United v Camberley Town
Guildford City v Spelthorne Sports @ Godalming – City here at least until Sept apparently?
Redhill v Knaphill
Southall v Abbey Rangers @ Ashford T (Mx)
Walton & Hersham v Balham
CCL Div1
AC London v Dorking Wanderers Reserves @ Whyteleafe
Bagshot v Epsom & Ewell @ Fleet Town
Bedfont & Feltham v Sandhurst Town
Cove v Chessington & Hook United
Farnham Town v British Airways
FC Deportivo Galicia v Fleet Spurs @ Bedfont Sports
Frimley Green v Eversley & California
Sheerwater v Kensington Borough @ Woking
Tooting Bec v Godalming Town @ Raynes Park Vale

HELLENIC Premier
Abingdon United v Virginia Water
Ardley United v Tuffley Rovers
Ascot United v Lydney Town
Binfield v Holmer Green
Brackley Town Saints v Longlevens
Flackwell Heath v Brimscombe & Thrupp
Reading City v Fairford Town
Wantage Town v Bishops Cleeve - promising tussle between early pace-setters
Windsor v Royal Wootton Bassett Town
HELLENIC 1E
Burnham v Thame Rangers
Chinnor v Milton United
Didcot Town Development v Holyport
Wallingford Town v Bicester Town
Wokingham & Emmbrook v AFC Aldermaston @ Larges Lane

WESSEX Premier
Andover New Street v Lymington Town
Brockenhurst v Tadley Calleva
Hamble Club v Alresford Town
WESSEX 1
Alton v AFC Stoneham
Andover Town v Downton
Newport (IOW) v Petersfield Town
Totton & Eling v Whitchurch United - saw 'The Jam Boys' edge Andover Town 1-0 on Monday night at Longmeadow; was a clash of the bottom two and neither side looked in particularly good nick coming into the game.
- Jam Boys are still recovering from last season's pretty disastrous outcome - they lost tomorrow's fixture 0-4 at T&E last season and other results in 17-18 would suggest T&E were one of the weaker sides.
There is always a lot of player movement though at this level.
- now demoted to Div One having declined promotion to STEP04, ATFC have had to start from scratch all over again and have recruited another entire squad - many from Sparsholt College from whence they grew following the previous implosion at the Portway - that event saw the club momentarily vanish altogether (effectively 2 seasons 2011 - 2013).
As the game on Monday wore on, it did appear as if both outfits were slowly growing into themselves and ended up playing some quite decent stuff, suggesting perhaps better things ahead. The crowd was well into three figures too - possibly swelled by a sizeable gathering from Andover.