The Non - League thread

[Christof]

The football isn't as good but that doesn't matter a jot to me. It's just a game of football for goodness sake where the objectives are the same whatever the level, except you tend not to get a bunch of prima donna millionaires playing a game that is, after all, the working man's game.

I get great enjoyment out of watching Windsor.

It's on the doorstep, which helps.

It's free to park within 30 yards of the turnstiles which helps.

I can pay on the day which helps.

I can invite a friend an hour before kick off knowing he'll be able to get in, which helps.

I can smoke a cigar whilst watching the game which helps.

I don't have to sit / stand next to any pissed up abusive wakner or constantly moaning tosspot if I don't want to which helps.

I can have a chat with the Chairman of the club, the players, the manager if I so desire, which helps.

I could carry on but for me, supporting Windsor FC >>>> Reading FC.

Agree with an awful lot of this.

At the moment, watching Reading away >= watching Slough away >= watching Slough home >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> watching Reading home

[Four Of Clubs]

... here's tomorrow's 'local' NL matches:-

Saturday 27 Oct 2012

FA Trophy 2nd Qualifying Round

18 Leiston v Metropolitan Police
19 Uxbridge v Canvey Island
20 Whitstable Town v Leatherhead
21 Merstham v Wealdstone
22 Wingate & Finchley v Hitchin Town
23 East Thurrock United v Thurrock
24 Hampton & Richmond Borough v Three Bridges
25 Bedford Town v Maidstone United
26 Concord Rangers v Enfield Town
27 King‟s Lynn Town v Carshalton Athletic
28 Whitehawk v Grays Athletic
29 Brentwood Town v Lewes
30 Bognor Regis Town v Bridgwater Town
31 Poole Town v Didcot Town
32 Chesham United v Taunton Town
33 Wimborne Town v Merthyr Town
34 AFC Totton v Gosport Borough
35 Chippenham Town v Sholing
36 Weymouth v Shortwood United

Playing Sun 28 Oct 3.00
16 Cray Wanderers v Arlesey Town
17 Kingstonian v Burnham

CONF
Newport County v Woking
CONFS
Basingstoke v Dover
Bath City v AFC Hornchurch
Billericay v Havant and W
Bromley v Salisbury
Chelmsford v Staines Town
Dorchester v Tonbridge Angels
Eastbourne Borough v Eastleigh
Hayes & Yeading v Farnborough
Maidenhead Utd v Welling
Truro City v Sutton Utd
Weston-S-Mare v Boreham Wood
CONFN
Brackley v FC Halifax
Oxford City v Stalybridge

SOUTH1C
AFC Hayes v Chalfont St. Peter
Ashford Town (Middx) v Aylesbury
Barton Rovers v Thatcham Town – Neville Roach has resigned as manager of Thatcham
Biggleswade Town v Guildford City
Chertsey Town v Royston Town
Godalming Town v Daventry Town
Slough Town v Fleet Town
Woodford United v Beaconsfield SYCOB
SOUTH1S&W
Cinderford Town v North Leigh
Cirencester Town v Abingdon United
Winchester City v Bishops Cleeve

CCLP
Ash United V Epsom & Ewell
Bedfont Sports v South Park
Chessington & Hook United v Sandhurst Town
Croydon v Cove
Dorking v Raynes Park Vale
Hanworth Villa v Camberley Town
Hartley Wintney v Windsor
Horley Town v Farnham Town
Molesey v Colliers Wood United
Wembley v Guernsey
CCL1
CB Hounslow United v Warlingham
Cobham v Epsom Athletic
Eversley & California v Mole Valley SCR
Frimley Green v Feltham
Knaphill v Staines Lammas
South Kilburn v AFC Croydon Athletic
Westfield v Farleigh Rovers
Worcester Park v Banstead Athletic
EL Records Premier Challenge Cup – 2nd Round
Sheerwater v Egham Town
Spelthorne Sports v Badshot Lea

HELLP
Cheltenham SaracensvKidlington
Highworth TownvArdley United
HolyportvThame United
MarlowvWokingham & Emmbrook
Reading TownvAbingdon Town
ShrivenhamvBinfield Ground
Witney TownvSlimbridge
HELL1E
Brimscombe & ThruppvLetcombe
CartertonvWootton Bassett Town
Hook NortonvClanfield
Lambourn SportsvMalmesbury Victoria
Old Woodstock TownvLydney Town
PurtonvFairford Town
Tytherington RocksvCricklade Town
HELL1W
AFC HinkseyvHenley Town
Rayners LanevPenn & Tylers Green

Reading Senior Cup Round 1
14:00 Ascot United v Finchampstead
Bracknell Town v Newbury
Frilsham & Yattenden v Woodley Town
Highmoor Ibis v Stoke Green Rovers

WESSP
Alton Town v New Milton Town
WESS1
Fleet Spurs v Stockbridge
Laverstock & Ford v Andover New Street
Pewsey Vale v Cowes Sports
Ringwood Town v Whitchurch United

… wasn’t played last w/e as scheduled - don’t know why – maybe waterlogged but now on this Sunday:
FA Sunday Cup 1st Round 14:00
Dee Rd Rangers v Hammer @ Scours Lane

[Royal Rother]

2 wins on the bounce for Windsor winning 4-1 at Hartley Wintney.

Wouldn't read a huge amount into that though as both wins have been against very poor teams.

Still, confidence is a huge factor in football and this will do a lot of good.

[Terminal Boardom]

I am delighted to see Windsor rack up successive wins albeit against poor opposition. Hopefully, this will give the youngsters a lot of confidence as well as bring a few more through the turnstiles. Even though I am a few thousand miles away, I have been keeping in touch with developments within the club and the atmosphere has never been better. Everyone is going in the same direction and at the same pace which is wonderful. I just wish sometimes that I could be there to witness it. And I am really pleased for Mick Woodham. I don't think there is a nicer or more genuine man in non league football.

Anyone know where Keith Scott and Jim Melvin have ended up? Frankly, I don't care!

[Royal Rother]

Now that Wycombe have lost a local derby I reckon they could be back in with a shout there, but I am told they won't get back in non-league football down this way again as their rep goes before them, enhanced by events since their departure from Windsor.

How's it going down under? Settled in?

[Four Of Clubs]

... and best wishes from me TB - too....

Results from yesterday:

Saturday 27 Oct 2012

FA Trophy 2nd Qualifying Round

18 Leiston 1-1 Metropolitan Police
19 Uxbridge 3-3 Canvey Island
20 Whitstable Town 0-1 Leatherhead
21 Merstham 2-6 Wealdstone
22 Wingate & Finchley 2-2 Hitchin Town
23 East Thurrock United 1-1 Thurrock
24 Hampton & Richmond Borough 1-0 Three Bridges
25 Bedford Town 2-3 Maidstone United
26 Concord Rangers 0-2 Enfield Town
27 King‟s Lynn Town 6-1 Carshalton Athletic
28 Whitehawk 1-1 Grays Athletic
29 Brentwood Town 3-3 Lewes
30 Bognor Regis Town 3-0 Bridgwater Town
31 Poole Town 1-1 Didcot Town replay Tuesday 30th
32 Chesham United 5-1 Taunton Town
33 Wimborne Town 1-5 Merthyr Town
34 AFC Totton 3-2 Gosport Borough
35 Chippenham Town 1-2 Sholing
36 Weymouth 1-2 Shortwood United

CONF
Newport County 2-3 Woking - great win at the leaders.
CONFS
Basingstoke 0-1 Dover
Bath City 3-1 AFC Hornchurch
Billericay 3-1 Havant and W
Bromley 1-2 Salisbury
Chelmsford 3-2 Staines Town
Dorchester 1-2 Tonbridge Angels
Eastbourne Borough 1-0 Eastleigh
Hayes & Yeading 3-2 Farnborough
Maidenhead Utd 2-1 Welling
Truro City 1-2 Sutton Utd
Weston-S-Mare 2-4 Boreham Wood
CONFN
Brackley 0-0 FC Halifax
Oxford City 0-0 Stalybridge

SOUTH1C
AFC Hayes 1-3 Chalfont St. Peter
Ashford Town (Middx) 1-1 Aylesbury
Barton Rovers 2-0 Thatcham Town
Biggleswade Town 2-1 Guildford City
Chertsey Town 1-2 Royston Town
Godalming Town 1-0 Daventry Town
Slough Town 3-1 Fleet Town
Woodford United 0-6 Beaconsfield SYCOB
- Top two (Guildford/Daventry) both lose – leapfrogged by Godalming, Beaconsfield & Royston – Burnham in reach back in 6th - playing in the Trophy at Kingstonian this PM – Sluff tucked further behind in 10th - 4 games in hand; Thatcham sinking fast.

SOUTH1S&W
Cinderford Town 4-3 North Leigh
Cirencester Town 2-1 Abingdon United
Winchester City 0-2 Bishops Cleeve

CCLP
Ash United 3-2 Epsom & Ewell
Bedfont Sports 2-1 South Park
Chessington & Hook United 3-0 Sandhurst Town
Croydon 0-1 Cove
Dorking 0-0 Raynes Park Vale
Hanworth Villa 2-3 Camberley Town
Hartley Wintney 1-4 Windsor
Horley Town 1-0 Farnham Town
Molesey 0-2 Colliers Wood United
Wembley 0-2 Guernsey
CCL1
CB Hounslow United 1-3 Warlingham
Cobham 3-4 Epsom Athletic
Eversley & California 0-6 Mole Valley SCR
Frimley Green 4-0 Feltham
Knaphill 0-1 Staines Lammas
South Kilburn 1-1 AFC Croydon Athletic
Westfield 3-0 Farleigh Rovers
Worcester Park 1-2 Banstead Athletic
EL Records Premier Challenge Cup – 2nd Round
Sheerwater 0-4 Egham Town
Spelthorne Sports 1-2 Badshot Lea

HELLP
Cheltenham Saracens 4-1 Kidlington
Highworth Town1-4 Ardley United
Holyport 1-2Thame United
Marlow2-1 Wokingham & Emmbrook
Reading Town 0-1 Abingdon Town att 23 and a rotten result v Abbots who'd lost 8 in a row in the league AND shipped 31 goals in the last four - wonder if today's FA Sunday Cup tie will draw a bigger crowd for Mr Spence and pals?
Shrivenham 2-4 Binfield Ground
Witney Town 2-3 Slimbridge
HELL1W – see if I can get these the right way round?
Brimscombe & Thrupp 4-2 Letcombe
Carterton 1-3 Wootton Bassett Town
Hook Norton 3-2 Clanfield
Lambourn Sports 3-0 Malmesbury Victoria
Old Woodstock Town 2-0 Lydney Town
Purton 0-1 Fairford Town
Tytherington Rocks 7-0 Cricklade Town
HELL1E
AFC Hinksey 7-0 Henley Town
Rayners Lane 0-3 Penn & Tylers Green – something amiss here: runaway leaders won 9 out of first 10 – now lost next three with an aggregate of 2-12? Including latest to 2nd bottom P&TG

Reading Senior Cup Round 1
Ascot United 2-3 Finchampstead
Bracknell Town 2-4 Newbury aet
Frilsham & Yattenden 0-1 Woodley Town
Highmoor Ibis 6-3 Stoke Green Rovers

WESSP
Alton Town 5-1 New Milton Town
WESS1
Fleet Spurs 2-3 Stockbridge
Laverstock & Ford 4-3 Andover New Street
Pewsey Vale 0-1 Cowes Sports
Ringwood Town 1-0 Whitchurch United

[Warfield Royal]

Reading Senior Cup Round 1
Ascot United 2-3 Finchampstead

Very entertaining first half with no goals after the break. Finch played well and Ascot United were poor.

[Four Of Clubs]

... Burnham beaten 1-2 @ Kingfield this PM and exit the FA Trophy.

[Terminal Boardom]

Now that Wycombe have lost a local derby I reckon they could be back in with a shout there, but I am told they won't get back in non-league football down this way again as their rep goes before them, enhanced by events since their departure from Windsor.

How's it going down under? Settled in?

Please elaborate.

In my own place at last with all the local amenities literally on my doorstep and this includes 3 bars and an off licence More restaurants that you could shake a stick at so watch out expanding waistline. And don't let anyone believe that the weather here is perfect, it is very changeable, cold, wet and windy. The locals refer to 4 seasons in one day and they are right.

The A League here is crap. So much so that I have absolutely no interest in it. Horse racing is the big thing right now with everything culminating for the Melbourne Cup next Tuesday where the nation stops for 3 minutes. Public Holiday as well

[SWLR]

... Burnham beaten 1-2 @ Kingsmeadow this PM and exit the FA Trophy.

Corrected for you.

[Ark Royal]

Now that Wycombe have lost a local derby I reckon they could be back in with a shout there, but I am told they won't get back in non-league football down this way again as their rep goes before them, enhanced by events since their departure from Windsor.

How's it going down under? Settled in?

Please elaborate.

In my own place at last with all the local amenities literally on my doorstep and this includes 3 bars and an off licence More restaurants that you could shake a stick at so watch out expanding waistline. And don't let anyone believe that the weather here is perfect, it is very changeable, cold, wet and windy. The locals refer to 4 seasons in one day and they are right.

The A League here is crap. So much so that I have absolutely no interest in it. Horse racing is the big thing right now with everything culminating for the Melbourne Cup next Tuesday where the nation stops for 3 minutes. Public Holiday as well

Nice one Hayd. Stepped off a plane to Sydney in 2001 on Melbourne Cup day and was taken straight to a bar to watch it - and drink copious amounts of very cold lager. The nation really does seem to stop for the race.

[Terminal Boardom]

Now that Wycombe have lost a local derby I reckon they could be back in with a shout there, but I am told they won't get back in non-league football down this way again as their rep goes before them, enhanced by events since their departure from Windsor.

How's it going down under? Settled in?

Please elaborate.

In my own place at last with all the local amenities literally on my doorstep and this includes 3 bars and an off licence More restaurants that you could shake a stick at so watch out expanding waistline. And don't let anyone believe that the weather here is perfect, it is very changeable, cold, wet and windy. The locals refer to 4 seasons in one day and they are right.

The A League here is crap. So much so that I have absolutely no interest in it. Horse racing is the big thing right now with everything culminating for the Melbourne Cup next Tuesday where the nation stops for 3 minutes. Public Holiday as well

Nice one Hayd. Stepped off a plane to Sydney in 2001 on Melbourne Cup day and was taken straight to a bar to watch it - and drink copious amounts of very cold lager. The nation really does seem to stop for the race.

And I now live about a mile from Flemington racecourse where the Melbourne Cup is held. Judging by the comments of the locals, the best comparison is to roll the Grand National, Epsom Derby, Royal Ascot and Cheltenham Festival into one and then it might be close.

[Four Of Clubs]

... Burnham beaten 1-2 @ Kingsmeadow this PM and exit the FA Trophy.

Corrected for you.

... ooops must've been shocked into error by that Woking result!

From Sunday: a much-changed-from-last-season Dee Rd Rgrs exited the FA Sunday Cup 0-2 vs Hammer - apparently the away side were from one of the Watford Sunday leagues and not Hammer Utd from Surrey.

... and I'm told the crowd only just exceeded single figures.

Last night I watched Hungerford ease to a 3-1 win vs Shortwood - big no 5 Matt Day (ex Eastleigh, Pompey and both Oxfords) - scored ALL FOUR goals in 20 minutes in 2nd half !

... not taken that much note of MW games on tonight (Tue) - will be 'otherwise engaged' - probably sat amongst massed closet Gooners in my usual seat in the N. stand - but some with interest maybe:

B&B Trophy: Ascot v Wantage
HELL 1 East: Newbury v Wok & Emm
CONFS : 'stoke v Eastbourne Boro
CONFS: Bromley v Maidemhead
CONFS: Farnboro v Truro
SOUTH1C: Chalfont St P v Burnham
SOUTH1C: Leighton v Sluff

... nearly forgot FA Trophy 2nd Qualifying Round replay

Diddy vs Poole Town

[Hoop Blah]

You've said it before and I've asked around previously as I was fascinated at the idea - but in fact people I've asked have scoffed at the notion of playing on Saturdays then turning out for a pub team on a Sunday. One or 2 yes, but "a lot"? No way.

I'm not defensive in the slightest I just detest ill-informed disrespectful generalised nonsense so yes, I do find myself taking issue with a lot of what you post.

Talking of ill-informed nonsense....

It probably depends quite a bit on where you're from, but I'd say the majority of players from the Reading area who play in CCL or the Helenic (and above, ie Southern League for likes of Hungerford and Thatcham) play in the Reading Sunday League as well. That may just be because the Reading league is pretty strong, but I doubt it's too different elsewhere in Berkshire.

The standard of the higher ends of Sunday League in Reading is better than a lot of the CCL and Helenic.

[Royal Rother]

I think you are incorrect on all fronts, but there you go, some things never change.

[Hoop Blah]

I think you are incorrect on all fronts, but there you go, some things never change.

Why? On what evidence?

[FinchOwl]

You've said it before and I've asked around previously as I was fascinated at the idea - but in fact people I've asked have scoffed at the notion of playing on Saturdays then turning out for a pub team on a Sunday. One or 2 yes, but "a lot"? No way.

I'm not defensive in the slightest I just detest ill-informed disrespectful generalised nonsense so yes, I do find myself taking issue with a lot of what you post.

Talking of ill-informed nonsense....

It probably depends quite a bit on where you're from, but I'd say the majority of players from the Reading area who play in CCL or the Helenic (and above, ie Southern League for likes of Hungerford and Thatcham) play in the Reading Sunday League as well. That may just be because the Reading league is pretty strong, but I doubt it's too different elsewhere in Berkshire.

The standard of the higher ends of Sunday League in Reading is better than a lot of the CCL and Helenic.

A smattering of the local saturday players(Binfield, W&E, Finch & Bracknell Town mostly) play in the Bracknell Sunday league, but not as many as used to. There is definitely a bias towards playing only Saturday football currently, for those who play to a decent standard.

The Bracknell League was always the weaker of the local Sunday leagues, but the standard is the worse I have ever seen it currently, especially now William Twigg have folded, who were the only Bracknell side capable of giving the top Reading sides a decent game in the last few years

[Hoop Blah]

Interesting. Binfield have never tapped into the Reading talent pool much to be fair, and apart from Suarez I don't think there are any playing for them these days either (if he's still there that is).

I don't think he's played Reading Sunday League since his side folded either, but I could probably come up with at least 30 odd players who play that level and Reading Sunday League without thinking too hard, and that's just the Reading based ones I know of.

Admittedly Sunday Leagues across the county do seem to have been suffering over the last 5 years or so though.

[Royal Rother]

A smattering of the local saturday players(Binfield, W&E, Finch & Bracknell Town mostly) play in the Bracknell Sunday league, but not as many as used to.

Do you know who from Windsor plays on Sunday these days? Personally I'd be surprised if anyone getting a game in the CCL Prem team on Saturday then turned out on Sunday. The Reserves I suppose I could understand, in order to maintain fitness but not 1st teamers, and that's certainly evidenced by the conversations I've had.

[floyd__streete]

Maidenhead have drawn Gloucester away in the FA Trophy. Gloucester play at Whaddon Road, Cheltenham Town FC so it is a rare opportunity to watch the Magpies at a league ground!

Sadly though, the notorious MMS are likely to be all over this. In order to escape Glos Constabulary I hear they plan to do their drinking in Bibury en route and smash up the Trout Farm.