The Non - League thread

[double d]

My uni coach was a player at Haringey borough few years ago. We actually used their old yellow kit for uni games, confused the hell out of opposition.

How come some teams are in black FoC?

Also what team/s do you think out of any (top or bottom leagues) that could break through into the leagues ala Fleetwood and Burton?

Also how many ground in your list have you been to? Have you been to many league ones?

Covered before back in the annals of this thread - BUT understandably I wouldn't expect anyone to trawl back through hours of my drivelling rambles

... as a general rule (loosely and somewhat random in consistency) BOLD TYPE clubs are what I consider to be 'local' to Reading - roughly within an hours drive and usually outside the M25 - though with couple of obvious W.Lahnden exceptions there. I tend to try and provide a bit of comment about these in no particular order of importance nor geography - just as the news takes my fancy as it were.

I don't watch much at the top end of the Pyramid so can't really comment on whose likely to emerge as a 'new' FL club. FGR seem to be on the cusp of something and Eastleigh certainly made a charge until hitting the buffers big time earlier this season. All other serious contenders to make it to the FL are generally in large group of former League clubs. Of the top half only FGR, Dover & Bromley are NOT in this category.

- a lot of clubs in the National and most in the National North are over 2-3 hours drive away so I'd only consider going to them for 'special' occasion type trip. However after about what must be nearly 30 years of NL 'hopping', I have covered most of my 'targetted' leagues - which include all of those featured above plus the Western and South Mids.
I've also inadvertently picked up a few ex-Kent and ex- Sussex League teams along the way - often in Vase games but including those that have dropped down from the Southern/Isthmian.

As a rough total I'd say this amounts to about 400 clubs of which I think I'm close to the 350 mark and most of these left to do now, are probably 2 hours or more distant, so may take me a good while yet.

I've also picked up a fair number of ticks within even lower sub-STEP07 leagues: N.Berks, E.Berks, Oxford Senior, Surrey Elite, Thames Valley and Hants Premier but notworked up a total yet.

Similarly not done a proper count of the 92 either - done a fair number about half - but obviously not too many oop north over the years.

Wow fair play. I think you are one of my favourite posters on here. I love seeing your round ups and funny stories. You are a real football fan and I love it. I wish more were like you.

What football team have you been most saddened by their demise?

What is your favourite ever ground you have been to?.

Worst ground /fans and team?

Best non league player you have ever seen?

Sorry for question I think you are one heck of an interesting poster!

[Four Of Clubs]

What football team have you been most saddened by their demise?

- Currently : Abingdon Town - also possibly the answer to the next question.
- Culham Road is a real ramshackle/battered and rusty NL 'stadium' with cover on nearly all sides. It's a 'mad-great-aunt' sort of ground - it's old flaky at the edges and out of time but friendly - and I'm saddened that there is no senior club currently playing there - still gets used for 'Vets' games so there is some hope that football will return.
...in similar vein it's a shame that Witney are no more - in truth never a really likeable club but comes with the territory of ambition. They had a large fan base that never endeared themselves to other clubs in the league and were probably proud of this on the various Hellenic league chat rooms - a real big fish in small pond attitude. Sadly their ambition was too much for them to see through and the money vanished.
I believe the bulldozers have finally levelled the Polythene UK Stadium now - along with it's oddball downstairs nightclub that the Witney teens would gather in some numbers to throw up outside on cheap cider/alcopops.
Elsewhere the demolition gangs are currently wiping Nene Park from the face of the earth too - real shame - was a well aspected stadium that really ought to have had a place in modern football - sadly no-one could take on the financial and political wreckage left behind by Rushden & Diamonds.

Wallingford Town similarly fallen far with Abingdon Town, though at least they are still functioning (just) down at County level - nice facilities at Hithercroft too.

What is your favourite ever ground you have been to?
- I have very low expectations and us such it's the querky that appeals - I'm told I HAVE to get to Lewes. Most STEP05 & 06 grounds are of similar ilk - they have to be these days to pass grading - even the new builds have promise but often choose functionality over comfort - Thame Utd and Royal Wootton Bassett are examples of better new set-ups. Access & parking is usually paramount here.

At the lower end of the scale I adore 'grounds' like Woodcote/Stoke Row (simple Village Green overlooked by Pub) as well as Kintbury Rangers, Lambourn & Newbury (all sites with better former times on the field) or even better still Long Wittenham , Saxton Rovers or Steventon amongst many others, in the N.Baaarks leagues - each with a thriving little clubhouse. The last one is quite plush - the former two have rusty looking shed/blockhouses concealing a very cozy little lounge with local Ale if you choose the right evening.
For the same reason I like Letcombe - sadly not destined to rise without moving as they will never be permitted to erect floodlights.

Simple answer though No 1 would be Wilks Park - Flackwell Heath - I enjoy going there and they rarely disappoint on the pitch - was a shame they didn't feel ready to step up when they won promotion but understandably the travelling wasn't what they were prepared for.
No 2 would be Eynsham Pk (North Leigh) might have rated it higher perhaps now they've put in their own clubhouse (used to share with Rugby bleedin' miles from the football pitch) but on the down side it's a ba$tard of a journey across to that bit of Oxon from here.
No 3 Marlow

Worst ground /fans and team?
-Ground: though it pains me to admit it - probably Scours Lane/Rivermoor or Palmer Park - heightened by the fact I have been so often that I know what to expect.

Avenue Park up off the A40 nr Greenford/Hanwell is a seriously grim venue with little or no spectator comforts - mercifully it looks as if London Tigers that used to play there until very recently, have opted to switch all of their remaining 'home' fixtures this season to the ground of their opponents.
EDIT - just followed up on this: Daily Mail (natch) reported the troubles at the ground were caused by Travellers illegally camping on site - a closer investigation however (not reported by the Mail - natch x 2) is that the club has been victim of a huge illegal waste/fly-tipping exercise; rendering the entire area unusable for football. Some wag did point out it was likely that trashing the place completely had caused ten thousand pounds worth of improvements?

League Ground: MK Dons - great layout inside - if a bit grey & unfinished - but why build it where it's nigh on f£ckin impossible to get anywhere near by any means of transport.

Fans: never really had a problem - generally go as neutral so rarely get emotionally engaged as one would following RFC. Only faint memory that irked was Aylesbury Utd fans bullishness and agressive arrogance towards lesser opponents (probably Bracknell at their nadir) in a Vase tie up at Leighton - some years back.

A lot of clubs with a big following have been less than complementary about Bulpit Lane (Hungerford Town) - can't help that whenever I have seen a sizeable visiting crowd there, the away team have usually been roundly whupped, probably when they least expected it.

Best non league player you have ever seen?
.. far too many to contemplate but put on the spot I'd single out a few :
- In the more distant past Jimmy Bolton - prolific striker - 240 odd goals in 7 seasons at Carshalton - racked in plenty more in several stints with other local sides. Simon Read at Farnborough was a bit special too.
- Paul Hyde - GK when he was at Hayes - went to have a lengthy league career with Wycombe/Leicester and others.
- more recently Ray Spence - unplayable on his day - sadly too often unbearable for those that tried to manage him or play alongside him.
- Paul Strudley - diminutive former Thatcham & Hungerford keeper - currently at Slough - incredible shot-stopper for his size - a bit of a latter day Stevie Death in agility. George Legg our very own youngster, is performing admirably to keep him out of the side - not sure if he's on loan at Slough or is still on the Crusaders' books - his profile is still on their website.

[Emeraldroyal]

Sad to see it's come out publicly that Fleet Town can't afford to pay their players.
Recent passing of their chairman demonstrated he was bankrolling players wages God rest him.

Home game today. I'll pop down and pay my way in for some support.

[Royal Rother]

I doubt there's any more than a handful of teams outside of the top 5 divisions (and a good number within) who CAN afford to pay their players without being bankrolled by someone.

Yet still they try.

Distribution of wealth I suppose.

[double d]

What's the average wage for somebody in say maidenhead division and what does it go down to? Like in bracknells league or something?

[Royal Rother]

I'd only be guessing of course but Maidenhead might be paying average of £200 pw I'd have thought.

Bracknell.... I suspect they might be paying £60 pw but there'll be teams in their League who aren't paying a penny.

In the Combined Counties Prem (same level as Bracknell) Windsor don't pay the players or coaching and management staff anything bar a bit of petrol money on away days.

[Royalist]

Windsor and Eton were paying 'top' players 300 quid a week and leagues below conference south but then they were not paying the taxman! Be surprised, in a good way, if Maidenhead were paying as little as 200 quid. It's insanity and not viable at all!

As for FoC i loved Lewes away. Nice little town but not a fan of the 'improvements' made to the ground to make it conference level. Loved the grass banks of old! Still quirky though and one you really should do!

[double d]

I'm impressed with the standard of teams in conference north. Afc fylde look like they are killing it. Stockport, Darlington, Kidderminster, Salford, fc United, Brackley etc are all big name teams. Looks like a very good league.

[Tony Le Mesmer]

Didn't fancy another trip to Weston today, but another good win for Maidenhead. Ebbsfleet also win, either us or them are going to achieve a record points total for the division for a team not winning the league.

Took in what I think was my first league game in the northern half of the non-league pyramid.

Brackley Town 0-1 Salford City.

Bumper crowd of over 700, at least 200 Salford fans there who unsurprisingly seem to have delusions of grandeur. That said, with the financial backing of the bloke who also owns Valencia, maybe they aren't so deluded. No better technically then their hosts, but they looked like a pro team such was the difference in physique, which in the end was the difference. Obviously earning enough to spend all day in the gym on 'rocket fuel'.

To answer the question above, most Maidenhead players are on about £300pw im told, one or two who've been persuaded to travel from Essex maybe a bit more. Even with the money from the 4 figure gates this season and last season's TV money, they are probably just about breaking even. How on earth some teams survive without a ground they own & paying rent god only knows.

[Royal Rother]

Windsor and Eton were paying 'top' players 300 quid a week and leagues below conference south but then they were not paying the taxman! Be surprised, in a good way, if Maidenhead were paying as little as 200 quid. It's insanity and not viable at all!

As for FoC i loved Lewes away. Nice little town but not a fan of the 'improvements' made to the ground to make it conference level. Loved the grass banks of old! Still quirky though and one you really should do!

£300 a week? I doubt it was anything like that much.

[Tony Le Mesmer]

Windsor and Eton were paying 'top' players 300 quid a week and leagues below conference south but then they were not paying the taxman! Be surprised, in a good way, if Maidenhead were paying as little as 200 quid. It's insanity and not viable at all!

As for FoC i loved Lewes away. Nice little town but not a fan of the 'improvements' made to the ground to make it conference level. Loved the grass banks of old! Still quirky though and one you really should do!

£300 a week? I doubt it was anything like that much.

I do recall hearing at the time they were on daft money. Some of the wages going around pre credit crunch were ridiculous.

Ebbsfleet have several players on £1000pw+ and train midweek mornings. Danny Kedwell left Gillingham (where he was Captain) to join Ebbsfleet because they were supposedly offering more money! Their Kuwaiti owner has bumped somewhere in the region of £15m into the club, a director at Maidenhead told me the other week.

[Christof]

Best non league player you have ever seen?

- Paul Strudley - diminutive former Thatcham & Hungerford keeper - currently at Slough - incredible shot-stopper for his size - a bit of a latter day Stevie Death in agility. George Legg our very own youngster, is performing admirably to keep him out of the side - not sure if he's on loan at Slough or is still on the Crusaders' books - his profile is still on their website.

Strudley played on Wed PM when Slough lost 3-0 at Biggleswade Town, having been brought in at v short notice due to Mark Scott's broken neck (btw over £5k raised so far for him, excellent effort especially from teams like Leamington doing collections etc). In fairness to Strudley, only one was his fault but that could be levelled at the ploughed field that he was playing on, chasing the game. He also pulled off an amazing double save (a real Steve Death special) in the first half, yet 10 seconds later the ball was deflected in for 1-0.
Anyway, he was not available yesterday as Hartley Wintney wanted him back for the game against their closest rivals for the title. Therefore Sluff brought in Alan Walker-Harris (late of Dorchester and Wimborne apparently) and by all accounts (I was unable to go) he played very well. Always nice to get one over a promotion rival, especially one as schooled in the 'dark arts' as Hitchin...

[Four Of Clubs]

Results from this w/e:

Saturday 11th March

NAT
Guiseley AFC 1-0 Aldershot Town
Woking 0-0 Boreham Wood
NATN
Brackley Town 0-1 Salford City
NATS
Bath City {SIX} 6-0 Hemel Hempstead Town - one of the sites (Beeb or Vanarama) was slow to correct their original result 0-0 -
Bishops Stortford 0-4 East Thurrock United
Chelmsford City 5-1 Eastbourne Borough
Concord Rangers 1-1 Dartford
Hampton & Richmond Borough 2-0 Hungerford Town
Margate 2-0 Gosport Borough
Oxford City 1-0 Whitehawk – Jefferson Louis on 89’ for OCFC – City have hauled themselves away from the drop-zone with a run of 6 games unbeaten @ home.

St Albans City 0-3 Ebbsfleet United
Truro City 1-2 Wealdstone
Welling United 2-1 Poole Town
Weston-Super-Mare 1-3 Maidenhead United – 2 more for Tarpey

ILP
Staines Town 1-1 Tonbridge Angels
IL1S
Godalming Town 1-0 Lewes – a rare maximum for Godalming but they seemed destined for CCL next term as they are 15 points from safety with only 7 games left.

SLP
Banbury United 2-1 Cirencester Town
Basingstoke Town 0-2 Leamington – Brakes led by two after 15’
Hitchin Town 2-3 Slough Town – att 828 - two early goals from Harris and Hollis had ‘Rebels’ two up inside 10’ – a Dobson pen sealed a good win on 69’.

Stratford Town 1-1 Chesham United
Sunday
Hayes & Yeading United 1-2 Chippenham Town –
- Was at this – result harsh on HandY who led on the stroke of H/T following a sharp turn and shot from Rose – newly arrived from Slough. Chipp’num grabbed two very late goals on 86’ & 91’ to take a win they barely deserved but shows a mark of title contenders and puts them 4 points clear of Leamington – who do have a game in hand.

SL1C
Ashford Town (Mx) 0-3 Potters Bar Town
Aylesbury 1-0 Marlow – bit of a set-back for Blues at lowly Moles.
Beaconsfield SYCOB 1-2 Uxbridge –SYCOB fall to an injury time winner
Egham Town 2-1 Arlesey Town
Fleet Town 1-4 AFC Dunstable
Hanwell Town 1-2 Aylesbury United
Kidlington 1-1 Bedford Town
Northwood 2-4 Farnborough
Royston Town 4-0 Chalfont St Peter – leaders open up 17 point lead over 2nd placed Farnboro
SL1S&W
Didcot Town 1-0 Slimbridge
Mangotsfield United 0-0 Wantage Town – great battling point for the ‘Freds’ against a PO contender but sadly performances like this, have been too scarce to save them from the drop – with games running out – they have only 7 games left and are still 14 points behind Slimbridge & Yate.

North Leigh 1-1 Wimborne Town
Winchester City 0-2 Swindon Supermarine

CCLP
Abbey Rangers 2-0 Raynes Park Vale
AFC Hayes 0-2 Chertsey Town
Badshot Lea 3-1 Bedfont & Feltham
Bedfont Sports 0-4 Horley Town
CB Hounslow United 1-2 Spelthorne Sports
Colliers Wood United 1-2 North Greenford United
Guildford City 2-3 Camberley Town
Hartley Wintney 3-1 Westfield
Knaphill 1-3 Hanworth Villa
Walton & Hersham 1-0 Farnham Town
Windsor 1-0 Sutton Common Rovers
CCL1
Bagshot 1-0 Redhill
Banstead Athletic 4-1 South Park Res
Cobham 0-2 AC London
Cove 3-0 Frimley Green - in a terrible season for Cove a welcome three points and indeed a 'double' over FG.
Dorking 0-3 Staines Lammas
Epsom Athletic P-P Balham - game re-arranged for this Wed as Balham were engaged in the London Senior Cup @ Bridon Ropes from Charlton.
Farleigh Rovers 1-0 Chessington & Hook United
Sheerwater 1-2 Eversley & California
Worcester Park 3-0 Ash United

HELLP
Ardley United 3-1 Burnham
Bracknell Town {SEVEN} 7-2 Brimscombe & Thrupp - Four goals for Seb Bowerman; a brace for TJ Bohane and one from off the bench for 'veteran' Ian Davies complete the rout for Robins; Thame cling on a point behind and five goals worse off, with a win against improving RWBT. Both clubs have 5 games left - all of Thame's fixtures are away from the ASM but include visits to three of the bottom four. Their key games likely to be the trips west to Lydney and Tuffley. By contrast Robins run in looks slightly tougher : @ Larges Lane v RWBT, Longlevens and Highworth and away games at B&T, again and Ardley who have beaten them this term.

Longlevens AFC {EIGHT} 8-3 Henley Town
Lydney Town 1-1 Highmoor-Ibis
Thame United 1-0 Royal Wootton Bassett
Thatcham Town 2-1 Flackwell Heath
Tuffley Rovers 2-3 Oxford City Nomads – vital three points for Nomads in the fight to beat the drop
HELL1E
AFC Aldermaston 3-1 Rayners Lane
Holyport 1-1 Sandhurst Town
Penn & Tylers Green 4-2 Headington Amateurs
Wantage Town Res 0-7 {SEVEN} Chinnor
Woodley United 0-0 Wokingham & Emmbrook
HELL1W
Easington Sports 2-1 Milton United
Fairford Town 1-1 Shrivenham
Letcombe 2-2 Hook Norton
Woodstock Town 1-0 Abingdon United – only 2nd win for Woodstock – gets them off the bottom.

WESSP
Andover Town 5-1 Cowes Sports
Fawley 0-2 Alresford Town
Whitchurch United 1-0 Sholing – good result for the 'Jam Boys' over high flying Sholing but they remain in the bottom three.
WESS1
Andover New Street 1-1 Christchurch - good point for lowly ANS vs 4th placed Christchurch - but their slow climb away from the foot was not helped by a big win for strugglers Hythe & Dibden just above them. Pewsey's close match at USP won't have settled their nerves either but in truth there is unlikely to be any relegation from Wessex One this term (unless it's someone taking voluntary demotion) as they are running with an odd number of sides.
Promotion from Hants Premier looks like being possibly both Bush Hill - though they will need some generous grading marks (located on a Public Rec at the bottom of the M271 nr Southampton) and Hayling United. The island club may make a fairly quick return, having dropped out of the Wessex at the end of 13-14 season. The other feeder league would be the Dorset Premier - the delightfully tagged Weymouth-based 'Balti Sports' currently lead but have seemingly lost some of their 'spice' of late . They have drawn 2 and lost 2 of their last four. Personally I'd doubt if 2nd placed village side from Holt, who are well within range with games in hand, would have the necessary grading to progress. Indeed they seem to be 'lodging' this season at Bournemouth Poppies and I'm fairly sure the Wessex does not allow groundshares within it's member clubs.

Hythe & Dibden 5-1 Fleet Spurs
New Milton Town 0-2 Tadley Calleva
United Services Portsmouth 4-3 Pewsey Vale

- we successfully negotiated the M4/M25/A12 then eastwards beyond Chelmsford, on the oddly numbered A414 (road runs from Hemel to Essex), to Maldon and up to Heybridge Swifts. Visitors Haringey Borough bullied their way to a 4-1 win and may well attain the Play Offs.
Journey back even better as the Orbital was strangely quiet back home by 18:45.

[Tony Le Mesmer]

Hayes & Yeading 1-2 Chippenham Town. Gave the anorak a good airing this weekend.

A rather unloved venue to say the least. It probably looks better in August when the sun is shining.

a 50/50 game up until the last 15 mins. Ramone Rose making his debut for the hosts and looked a real handful, duly giving them the lead in first half added time. Chippenham then missed a pen shortly after the break, Hayes hit the post shortly after to make it 2 before losing Rose to injury. The heavy pitch started to take it's toll on the hosts and they seemed out on their feet at the end. Chippenham duly capitalised with 2 late goals. Hayes still almost grabbed an equaliser with the last kick.

Got to fear for Hayes. They go again on that pitch tomorrow, they will have a job picking themselves up after that.

[double d]

Thinking of going to maidenhead this Saturday with a couple mates if anybody fancies joining us or goes.

[Four Of Clubs]

NL round-up and Preview ......

Saturday 18th March

NAT
Aldershot Town v Sutton United
Gateshead v Woking – Cards edged past Guildford City 2-1 at the Spectrum, in the County Cup S-F on Wed night. They’ll meet Dorking Wanderers or Merstham (who’ll fight it out next Tuesday 21st ) in the Final @ Woking on Wed 3rd May.

NATN
Darlington 1883 v Brackley Town – Saints beaten in their County Cup S-F (Northants) at Kettering in midweek.
NATS
Dartford v Truro City
East Thurrock United v Oxford City
Eastbourne Borough v Bath City
Ebbsfleet United v Weston-Super-Mare
Gosport Borough v St Albans City
Hemel Hempstead Town v Margate
Hungerford Town v Concord Rangers
Maidenhead United v Welling United
Poole Town v Hampton & Richmond Borough
Wealdstone v Chelmsford City
Whitehawk v Bishops Stortford

ILP
Burgess Hill Town v Staines Town
IL1S
Chatham Town v Godalming Town

SLP
Biggleswade Town v Hayes & Yeading United - HandY grabbed a point on Tuesday night with a blank at home to Weymouth. With 8 games remaining they are still 5 points adrift of Kings Langley and possible safety - they do have a game in hand.

Chesham United v Banbury United -quick return fixture from midweek game at Banbury, where the visiting ‘Generals’ were undone 1-0 and suffered a dent in their pursuit of a PO spot. 'Puritans' stay 6th, 7 points above Chesham and now only three points behind 5th placed Merthyr, who have a tough game at leaders Chipp’num.

King's Lynn Town v Basingstoke Town
Slough Town v Cinderford Town – Rebels welcome bottom placed Cinderford and will be after a measure of revenge for an upset last month. They also dropped points midweek with a 1-1 @ lower mid-table St Neots – conceding a leveller in the last 2’.
SL1C
Arlesey Town v Fleet Town
Aylesbury United v Ashford Town (Mx) - Ashtrees beaten 2-0 at PO chasers Kempston in midweek – whilst ‘Ducks’ bowed out of the League Cup at the S-F stage, losing 2-0 at St Ives. Hayes & Yeading await them in the Final - venue date tba.
EDIT Updated (17/03/17) Venue set as St Ives Town 15:00 KO 29th April

Barton Rovers v Kidlington
Bedford Town v Egham Town
Chalfont St Peter v Kempston Rovers
Farnborough v Royston Town 2nd placed ‘ boro host runaway leaders Royston: anything other than a home win would in every likelihood seal the title; as it is the visitors are a huge 17 point clear with 8 games left.

Marlow v Histon - 'Blues' still in PO contention in 3rd place, albeit 11 points behind ‘boro, with a gaggle of clubs around them – including Egham who sit just outside a PO berth. The ’Sarnies’ coasted to a midweek romp 5-0 at bottom club Petersfield on Tuesday. The visiting ‘Stutes’ are probably nailed on to go down in 21st and are 8 points adrift of safety. Marlow’s problem does seem to be scoring goals though – they have the fewest amongst the top half sides, by some distance.

Petersfield Town v Aylesbury - basement clash here; the travelling ‘Moles’ will want to keep daylight back to Histon against (probably) relegated and Wessex-bound Petersfield.
Potters Bar Town v Beaconsfield SYCOB
Uxbridge v Northwood
SL1S&W
Barnstaple Town v Didcot Town - long trek for the Railwaymen
Hereford v North Leigh - Nor Lye progressed to the Oxon Senior Final on Tuesday evening, with an impressive looking 3-0 win at OCFC. No date/venue set for the Final yet but they’ll await the winners of next Wed’s other S-F tie : OUFC or Banbury

Wantage Town v Bridgwater Town – ‘Freds’ will be desperate to get a rare max. here, against the only side below them
Yate Town v Winchester City – Winch went down 3-1 at Salisbury on Tuesday night– trailled by three within the first quarter of the match.

CCLP
Bedfont & Feltham v Colliers Wood United
Camberley Town v AFC Hayes
Chertsey Town v Raynes Park Vale
Epsom & Ewell v Hartley Wintney – such is the margin of ‘The Row’s’ lead and GD at the top, they now only need four points to confirm the title – and that’s only if Westfield don’t slip up in their 10 remaining fixtures.

Farnham Town v Knaphill
Hanworth Villa v Badshot Lea
Horley Town v CB Hounslow United
North Greenford United v Guildford City
Spelthorne Sports v Abbey Rangers
Sutton Common Rovers v Walton & Hersham
Westfield v Windsor – poor return on Tuesday evening - held at Stag Meadow by basement side Bedfont & Feltham. 'Field' kept up the battle for 2nd spot, beating in form Horley 2-0 the same night to skip back above Hanworth Villa but only on GD.
CCL1
Ash United v Redhill
Balham v Chessington & Hook United
Banstead Athletic v Cove
Dorking v Farleigh Rovers
Frimley Green v AC London
South Park Res v Cobham
Staines Lammas v Eversley & California
Worcester Park v Bagshot

HELLP
Ascot United v Ardley United
Brackley Town Saints v Brimscombe & Thrupp
Bracknell Town v Royal Wootton Bassett
Burnham v Thame United - Thame grabbed back top spot from Bracknell, on Wednesday with a 4-1 win at Brackley Saints. That result also ends any interest Flackwell or Thatcham had in the title race, as neither can now reach top spot. Thame will not want to slip up on Sat. against a doomed Burnham. A win for Ascot or HIghmoor in the remaining few games, will confirm the Blues bottom 4 placing, almost certainly along with Henley – who are unlikely to get anything at Highworth this w/e.

Highmoor-Ibis v Lydney Town
Highworth Town v Henley Town - Highworth progressed in the League Challenge Cup with an impressive 3-1 win at Flackwell’s Wilks Park.
Oxford City Nomads v Flackwell Heath
Thatcham Town v Binfield - Moles progressed in the Reading Invitation Cup beating the Yellamen of Ascot 5-1; in the same competition Robins ‘eased’ past Thames Valley side Mortimer by a mere {TEN} 10-0 at Larges Lane - goals incl. 2 each for Cornell and I.Davies and a 2nd half hat-trick for sub TJ Bohane.
HELL1E
Bicester Town v Chinnor
- Popped up to Chinnor on Tuesday evening – nice new rebuild for the clubhouse – the old one had some rustic (and very rusty !) charm – took the Contractors quite a few additional months of their schedule to demolish it too – evidently built to last. Seemingly indestructible Gents Loos by some accounts! T’would appear the builders were slightly irked by the challenge and took retribution (maybe intentionally ) for the excessive demands placed upon them. The two concrete dugouts they were asked to provide are positioned in such a way that it renders the seated stand all but redundant; as you cannot see f£ck all of the game from the back three rows!
- I watched (pitchside) leaders and champions elect Penn win by a comfortable 3-0. Nice local brew in the bar too: XT Amber from Long Crendon.

Holyport v Woodley United
Penn & Tylers Green v Didcot Town Res'
Sandhurst Town v AFC Aldermaston
HELL1W
Easington Sports v Abingdon United
New College Swindon v Letcombe
Shrivenham v Milton United
HELL Supp
Rayners Lane v Milton Keynes Academy
Wokingham & Emmbrook v Chalfont Wasps

WESSP
Bournemouth v Whitchurch United
Lymington Town v Alresford Town - Alresford beaten 0-2 by promotion chasing Portland on Wed night – however it's difficult to see them or Blackfield & Langley make up the ground on leaders Moneyfields, (from nr Portsmouth) who have racked up 7 straight league wins and are currently 7 points clear with 7 games to go

Team Solent v Andover Town - ATFC were walloped 3-5 at Portway on Tuesday by a resurgent Fareham who have won 6 in 7 and lifted themselves well clear of trouble.

WESS1
Alton v United Services Portsmouth
Fleet Spurs v Weymouth Res
Folland Sports v Andover New Street - ANS were leading 1-0 at home to T&E on Wed night but the game was abandoned around the hour mark owing to player injury.
Pewsey Vale v Tadley Calleva - Tadley were beaten 1-0 at home on Tuesday by 2nd placed Baffins

- Wed evening took a slightly longer midweek trip than is the norm – thanks to some seriously creative domestic juggling and the fact I’ve bunked off work today (Thu) – hence this extended – drivel-rich preview
- – headed down well beyond Sw!nedon to:
WESTERN League One – Calne Town 1-1 Warminster Town – hard fought but fairly low quality draw between strugglers down at STEP06. Indeed over many years and very infrequent visits, (previous one was 6-7 years back – and little has changed – pitch is a rutted bobbly nightmare - makes Cintra Park look like BIlliard Table) my perception was that Calne always seem to have been in the doldrums. Oddly enough looked up the ‘FoCCers Anorak Annals’ and discovered I‘d last seen them late in 2010, when they managed to grab a 3-3 vs Larkhall Athletic, who have gone on to much loftier things since then.
- M4 and roads down round and beyond RWBT completely f£cked by diversions, lane closures and road-works, so returned via an eerily deserted A4 – Avebury- Marlborough -Hungerford – approach to jn 12 still bogged up with cones though. Back indoors via picking up a conciliatory Special Curry & Rice , by 22:45.

[Top Flight]

NATS
Dartford v Truro City
East Thurrock United v Oxford City
Eastbourne Borough v Bath City
Ebbsfleet United v Weston-Super-Mare
Gosport Borough v St Albans City
Hemel Hempstead Town v Margate
Hungerford Town v Concord Rangers
Maidenhead United v Welling United
Poole Town v Hampton & Richmond Borough
Wealdstone v Chelmsford City
Whitehawk v Bishops Stortford

Thanks for your list Four of Clubs. I will be at the game highlighted in bold on Saturday. I'm looking forward to taking in another Stones game. It's been a while since I was last at Grosvenor Vale. Their home fixtures keep clashing with ours. As we are playing away tomorrow night, I finally have an opportunity to watch the Stones again. They have been on a sensational run recently. 8 wins in succession and 10 games unbeaten. I'll be looking forward to see what has changed and why they are winning week in week out at the moment.

[double d]

NATS
Dartford v Truro City
East Thurrock United v Oxford City
Eastbourne Borough v Bath City
Ebbsfleet United v Weston-Super-Mare
Gosport Borough v St Albans City
Hemel Hempstead Town v Margate
Hungerford Town v Concord Rangers
Maidenhead United v Welling United
Poole Town v Hampton & Richmond Borough
Wealdstone v Chelmsford City
Whitehawk v Bishops Stortford

Thanks for your list Four of Clubs. I will be at the game highlighted in bold on Saturday. I'm looking forward to taking in another Stones game. It's been a while since I was last at Grosvenor Vale. Their home fixtures keep clashing with ours. As we are playing away tomorrow night, I finally have an opportunity to watch the Stones again. They have been on a sensational run recently. 8 wins in succession and 10 games unbeaten. I'll be looking forward to see what has changed and why they are winning week in week out at the moment.

Hey TF how are you doing? I am in the area at the weekend so I may got to a game. How's the betting going?

[Top Flight]

Just planning my bets on the Vietnamese third division.... Only joking. I just won a few quid backing a horse at Cheltenham.

[Royalist]

Windsor FC in a rent/lease row with the crown estate

http://www.windsorexpress.co.uk/gallery ... round.html

Pretty incredible a club that supposedly doesn't pay wages has had to have the owner put in 200k over 6 years.