The Non - League thread

[frimmers3]

looks like being a bumper crowd.

[Alexander Litvinenko]

Heading to Larges Lane for the promtion party tommorow night ( hopefully). Should be a decent crowd too. Come on you Robins!!

In for this big time. Seeing a team I support being in with a chance of achieving something will make a pleasant change!

[Royal Rother]

that sounds lovely. May I come along I'll get the first round

I'm sure you'd be made welcome.

[Barry the bird boggler]

Thanks FoC, great update. Also sounds like that Bracknell could be offered a place by the HPL whether they win, lose or draw tonight if the bit about Chinnor in 5th place proves accurate!

[Four Of Clubs]

Thanks FoC, great update. Also sounds like that Bracknell could be offered a place by the HPL whether they win, lose or draw tonight if the bit about Chinnor in 5th place proves accurate!

.. nay bother .. simply put : the Hellenic may not have decided on their preferred number of clubs for the Premier next season.

No-one's coming down from STEP04 ; Marlow are back up; Witney and Wokkers dropped/dropping out, Shrivenham probably the only club relegated leaving in theory a 'rump' of 16 clubs to add to - they'll want a constitution of at least 20 and I thought I'd read the FA were pushing for STEP05 leagues to be even larger, to match the possible increases at STEP 03/04.

So - I'd imagine - if Sandhurst don't take up the offer to move across rather than down and Rayners Lane b@gger off elsewhere, they're hard pressed to 'up the numbers' without 'granting' places to clubs outside the top two/three in Divs One E & W.

From Div One West Brimscomb & Thrupp are taking up their Premier place, as are 2nd place Wootton Bassett Town (I think). WBT by virtue of a groundshare at Cirencester Town, whilst they build a new ground of their own in the town. Their current ground falls short of grading requirements and they were demoted a year or two back - can't see why - its a darn site better than Ardley's!

...the next three places in One West, are sides who probably meet the STEP05 criteria - just - Tytherington, Carterton and Fairford. The latter pair were relegated in the last 2 seasons - one voluntary a la Wokkers, I think but on Financial constraints rather than ground grading.

Of course the biggest issue in the Hellenic when it comes to restructuring, is it's crazy 'footprint' ie putting Div One East and West together - Lydney to Penn & Tylers is about 110 miles, even in a straightish line by road. If they promote too many from that level you won't have viable STEP06 league(s) without a merger of the two; which would bankrupt half of the clubs on the extreme fringes, or flooding it with even more Reserve sides.

Will keep my ear to the ground......

[dizzynewheights]

that sounds lovely. May I come along I'll get the first round

I'm sure you'd be made welcome.

WOO HOO, me, frimbo and the Roth-meister-general out on the lash


LOCK UP YOUR DAUGHTERS

[Terminal Boardom]

that sounds lovely. May I come along I'll get the first round

I'm sure you'd be made welcome.

WOO HOO, me, frimbo and the Roth-meister-general out on the lash


LOCK UP YOUR DAUGHTERS

This I have to see. It will be worth coming home for

[Four Of Clubs]

Tonight in the big game at Larges Lane- 'Robins' flapped a lot but to no avail - were complete dump for most of the game and Head Ams weren't much better but didn't need to be.

Nice crowd 140 plus - Woodley made it all rather academic by winning at Rayners Lane.

Elsewhere tonight Marlow bt 2nd place Wantage 4-1; in the CCL both Egham and Guernsey win - Fizzers bt Farnham 5-1; Dorking and Ash share the points with a 2-2 - no good to either of them really - I believe this may have relegated Dorking?

In the SL play-offs - not good news locally, Chesham, Beaconsfield and Godalming ALL lose and Merthyr bt Supermarine aet on pens - Martyrs equalized on 94' and will now face Hungerford in the Final .

In the CONF South POs (1st Legs) :

Chelmsford 1-0 Salisbury att 1,248

Eastleigh 1-3 Dover att 915

[Warfield North Stand]

Tonight in the big game at Larges Lane- 'Robins' flapped a lot but to no avail - were complete dump for most of the game and Head Ams weren't much better but didn't need to be.

Nice crowd 140 plus - Woodley made it all rather academic by winning at Rayners Lane.

Elsewhere tonight Marlow bt 2nd place Wantage 4-1; in the CCL both Egham and Guernsey win - Fizzers bt Farnham 5-1; Dorking and Ash share the points with a 2-2 - no good to either of them really - I believe this may have relegated Dorking?

In the SL play-offs - not good news locally, Chesham, Beaconsfield and Godalming ALL lose and Merthyr bt Supermarine aet on pens - Martyrs equalized on 94' and will now face Hungerford in the Final .

In the CONF South POs (1st Legs) :

Chelmsford 1-0 Salisbury att 1,248

I thought Bracknell did ok. They made the majority of the chances but it just wasn't to be. There didn't seem too much optimism in the bar after that there would be a scenario that would mean Prem football next year, but you never know with this league. Having Bracknell in the Prem with derbies against Binfield and Ascot can only be good for the league IMO. Was still getting bigger crowds than many in the league above.It Just summed up my football supporting season to be honest..

Eastleigh 1-3 Dover att 915

[Warfield North Stand]

^^^^^ Did that wrong clearly!!

[Four Of Clubs]

I thought Bracknell did ok. They made the majority of the chances but it just wasn't to be. There didn't seem too much optimism in the bar after that there would be a scenario that would mean Prem football next year, but you never know with this league. Having Bracknell in the Prem with derbies against Binfield and Ascot can only be good for the league IMO. Was still getting bigger crowds than many in the league above.It Just summed up my football supporting season to be honest..

... if they went into the Hellenic Prem and played like anything that and indeed, anywhere near like they did when I've seen them earlier this season (and not that long ago) at Henley and in home defeats to Head Ams in the Cup and Penn last month - they'd come straight back down.

Seriously both sides I watched on Sat, at least two steps LOWER than Hellenic One, had more about them in terms of ball-retention, movement and organisation.

Not sure about Head Ams - I don't s'pose they had anything to play for, other than to frustrate Bracknell, which they seriously didn't need to try that hard to achieve.

The one bright spark for Robins was the CB Harry Brown ? - he kept Head Ams biggest threat (player manager) Cuff - whose scored a rack of goals for them - very quiet all night; he was good bringing the ball out too.

...and I'm not trying to having a pop at Bracknell - indeed I grew up there and would like them to rise again. Possibly a bit of frustration crept into my report too, bearing in mind it was my third blank in four games!

[Terminal Boardom]

Considering the upheaval at Stag Meadow in September, Windsor finishing 6th in the CCL Premier is an amazing achievement by everyone concerned.

[Warfield North Stand]

I thought Bracknell did ok. They made the majority of the chances but it just wasn't to be. There didn't seem too much optimism in the bar after that there would be a scenario that would mean Prem football next year, but you never know with this league. Having Bracknell in the Prem with derbies against Binfield and Ascot can only be good for the league IMO. Was still getting bigger crowds than many in the league above.It Just summed up my football supporting season to be honest..

... if they went into the Hellenic Prem and played like anything that and indeed, anywhere near like they did when I've seen them earlier this season (and not that long ago) at Henley and in home defeats to Head Ams in the Cup and Penn last month - they'd come straight back down.

Seriously both sides I watched on Sat, at least two steps LOWER than Hellenic One, had more about them in terms of ball-retention, movement and organisation.

Not sure about Head Ams - I don't s'pose they had anything to play for, other than to frustrate Bracknell, which they seriously didn't need to try that hard to achieve.



Think you are talking about Dan Sleet. He coaches my boy and is a top lad. I hear what you are saying but this is many of the same team that beat Binfield in the FA Cup at the start of the season so they can't be that bad!! It is a very young team and if they stick together I fully expect them to go up next year.

The one bright spark for Robins was the CB Harry Brown ? - he kept Head Ams biggest threat (player manager) Cuff - whose scored a rack of goals for them - very quiet all night; he was good bringing the ball out too.

...and I'm not trying to having a pop at Bracknell - indeed I grew up there and would like them to rise again. Possibly a bit of frustration crept into my report too, bearing in mind it was my third blank in four games!

[Wax Jacket]

wow WNS you really are bad at this

[Warfield North Stand]

^^^^ Yes. Would seem that way!!

[Royalist]

End of season review

On the pitch doesn't matter one bit.

Off the pitch the club has got it right. It's not perfect as future plans seem to be a bit pie in the sky but the club won't get into trouble in the meantime!

[Four Of Clubs]

... there's a few bits and pieces left in NL locally - particularly the CCL which seems to be over running well into early May - so I'll probably put a few more Previews together before seasons' end - usually marked by the local Cup Finals at the MadStad. However I think we've switched the 'Citeh' game to when the BTC Final had been scheduled:

UPDATE - just checked the MadStad Finals - the BTC Final is on Thursday 16th May (S.Reading v Marlow Utd)
The Reading Senior Cup Final is the following Tuesday 21st May - Semi-Finals: Wokkers v Finch; Highmoor/IBIS v Marlow Utd

...anywhose - here's tonight's and tomorrow's (Sat 4th) matches:

Fri 3rd May
CCLP
Colliers Wood United v Horley Town
(at Cobham FC)
Guernsey v Dorking

Sat 4th May

CONFS Play Offs 2nd Leg
Dover v Eastleigh (3 - 1 Agg)
Salisbury v Chelmsford (0 - 1 Agg)
CONFN Play Offs 2nd Leg
Brackley v Altrincham (1 - 2 Agg)
Guiseley v FC Halifax (1 - 1 Agg)

SOUTHERN League Championship Match
Burnham v Poole Town
@ Burnham
... not sure but suspect this is just an end of season semi-serious match between the two divison One champions.

CCLP
Chessington & Hook United v Farnham Town
Cove v Molesey
Egham Town v Bedfont Sports - 'Sarnies' need a win to confirm themselves as Champions or hope GFC don't win all their remaining 4 to overhaul them.
Guernsey v Hartley Wintney (13:00)
Hanworth Villa v Badshot Lea
Wembley v Sandhurst Town
... last night Ash drew with Bedfont Sports ensuring their (probable) relegation (with Dorking & Sandhurst) and safety for Colliers Wood. Farnham bt Cove confirming GFC will finish at least 2nd.

CCL1
CB Hounslow United v Knaphill
Mole Valley SCR v Eversley & California
South Kilburn v Warlingham
Spelthorne Sports v Farleigh Rovers
Staines Lammas v Banstead Athletic
Westfield v Worcester Park

WESSP
Totton & Eling v Blackfield & Langley - B&L won the league last night with a 4-2 win at 2nd placed Alresford Town - they have NOT applied for promotion. Locks Heath who won the Hants Premier League by a distance have had their groundshare scheme turned down by the authorities so will not be re-joining the WESSEX One for next season.
Better news for Alton Town who have agreed with Bass/Coors (?) to stay on at their ground for another year by which time their new ground over the road could be ready?

Sun 5th May
CONF Play Off FINAL (Wembley)
Wrexham v Newport County
CCLP
Guernsey v Epsom & Ewell (13:00)

..Naturally I'll update with any important breaking news around promotions/demotions etc too

[Deadlock]

One final one:
Mon 6th May
CCLP
Guernsey v Farnham Town (13:00)

[Four Of Clubs]

One final one:
Mon 6th May
CCLP
Guernsey v Farnham Town (13:00)

..... indeed and will be part of the preview for B/H Mon which I'll most likely put together on Sun.

The CCL is possibly the most senior league round here to have league matches (2 in Div One) scheduled as late as NEXT Sat 11th - with most of the leagues below that level finishing by the following Saturday (18th) -

- if the weather is anywhere close to being as bad NEXT seaosn there could be a serious overrun, as I've heard many of the STEP01-04 leagues are being expected to finish by the end of MARCH!

... and the CCL Challenge Cup is due to be played next Friday eve (10th) at Cherrywood Rd (South Park v Epsom) - and just in case people thought GFC had it hard - which of course they did playing Fri/Sat/Sun for a few w/e's now - South Park also have a league game on Thu the night before the Cup Final; as well as playing on Tuesday & B/H Monday .

GFC bt Dorking 1-0 tonight so their chance of the title lives on. Att 1,021 and their talismanic striker Ros Allen came on, after 5 matches out through wear and tear, to turn the game - reportedly the GFC KP (Tardif) was man of the match.

[Deadlock]

GFC bt Dorking 1-0 tonight so their chance of the title lives on. Att 1,021 and their talismanic striker Ros Allen came on, after 5 matches out through wear and tear, to turn the game - reportedly the GFC KP (Tardif) was man of the match.

Chris Tardif is one of only two GFC players to have played League football, with Portsmouth and Oxford (the other being Le Tissier, who has played a grand total of 10 minutes as a sub).

According to this spreadsheet, tonight's win saw Guernsey promoted. I'll take that with a pinch of salt.