For those of you who don't know, it's the equivalent of our very own Non-League Day. After several successful years in England, our German and Swiss friends decided to give it a go this year.
With an old chum in Berlin, I decided to take in a game in the German capital so on Sunday afternoon we jumped on the S-Bahn at Ostkreuz and headed deeper into East Berlin to see Eintracht Mahlsdorf v Tennis Borussia Berlin.
These two play in the sixth tier of German football in the Berlin-Liga but this was actually a Berlin Cup match.
The area Eintracht play in is very suburban with quiet streets and pretty houses. The ground itself is part of a larger sports facility with a running track round the pitch and tennis courts to one side.
Compared to the sixth tier in England, the facilities were much more basic and probably more akin to Step 5 rather than Conference South clubs.
 |
| Tennis Borussia about to take the lead at Sportplatz Am Rosenhag |
The weather was fine and the crowd of several hundred seemed like a good turnout. Tennis Borussia's left-wing fans provided colour with a number of eye-catching banners.
On the pitch, TeBe had the better of the first half and led 1-0 at the break. They should have pushed home their advantage but got sloppy and lost 2-1. It was obviously quite a big deal with players on both sides collapsing to the floor in joy or disappointment at the final whistle. Apparently winners of this cup go on to qualify for the German equivalent of the FA Cup which is an interesting way of doing things.
It's hard to gauge how successful this match was from a Lokalrunde perspective as I've nothing to compare it to but I've heard from the organisers that they are pleased with how everything went nationally so that's great.
Anyway, before we all forget, this is a blog about London football so read on to find out what's happening here this week.
GET INVOLVED
If you're going to see a game, whether you're a local or a visitor, please let me know what you've been up to. If you're interested in reviewing a ground within the London area for this blog then get in touch. You might also want to have a go at writing a 'Top Ten' one week. I also very much welcome photos of your football travels.
Got any questions about visiting London? Don't hesitate to ask - be they football or more general travel/touristy queries.
Got any questions about visiting London? Don't hesitate to ask - be they football or more general travel/touristy queries.
You can contact TLFG through the comments section below or via Facebook, Twitter or even by good old email.
LATEST TICKET NEWS
Please follow this link or click on the tab at the top of the page for all the information you need about how to get a ticket, what's currently available to non-members at London's biggest clubs and any other special offers or promotions which might be running.
THE WEEK AHEAD
There are over 70 matches in the London area over the next seven days so there's plenty to choose from whatever your budget.
However, please make sure you check with clubs before you travel just in case a game has been called off or venue has been changed. Also, please let me know if anything is wrong or missing.
Details on all of this week's games can be found in the following match map. If you've never used it before, please note that when there is more than one match at a specific ground you'll only be able to see individual match pins if you zoom right in. If you don't, the pins obscure each other and you might miss them. To avoid this, you can also scroll down the list of games on the left side of the map page to make sure you get all the information.
Also if you're unfamiliar with the English league structure I indicate the level at which an individual league sits in the national 'pyramid' with the Premier League at the top (Level 1) and various minor leagues at the bottom (Level 10). Typically a top level game will see crowds of anywhere between 20,000-60,000. These figures will gradually decline as you go down the leagues until you get to Levels 8-10 where attendances of 150 or less are most common.
It should also be noted that the top four levels are for fully professional teams. Level 5 has a mixture of professional and semi-professional teams, while Levels 6-10 will see most players paid but it will vary from no more than travel expenses at the bottom, right up to several hundred pounds a week at the top (e.g. clubs in the Conference South).
It should also be noted that the top four levels are for fully professional teams. Level 5 has a mixture of professional and semi-professional teams, while Levels 6-10 will see most players paid but it will vary from no more than travel expenses at the bottom, right up to several hundred pounds a week at the top (e.g. clubs in the Conference South).
MATCH MAP
Green pin - Tuesday fixtures
Green pin - Tuesday fixtures
Turquoise pin - Wednesday fixtures
Magenta pin - Friday fixtures
Blue pin - Saturday fixtures
Magenta pin - Friday fixtures
Blue pin - Saturday fixtures
Red pin - Sunday fixtures
View London match map 13-19 October 2014 in a larger map
Next up is this week's TLFG match recommendations where I list a few games which I think could be worth a watch. If I miss one that you think should get a mention then add your own in the comments section below.
TLFG TOP 10
1. Crystal Palace v Chelsea - first up this week we've got this London derby. The Blues have already opened a five-point lead at the top, have the only unbeaten record and are scoring an average of three goals a game so it looks pretty hopeless for Palace. Well maybe not - the Eagles have only lost one of their last five league games and beat Chelsea at Selhurst Park last season. Also, boss Neil Warnock masterminded a 1-0 victory over the Stamford Bridge club when he last faced them with QPR so there is hope. (Premier League, Saturday 18 October, 3pm. Ticket info)
2. Queens Park Rangers v Liverpool - some of the most memorable matches I have seen as a QPR supporter have been against the Reds. Some have ended in glory, others in disaster but they're rarely dull affairs. QPR have had a stinker of a start and prop up the league despite more big summer spending. Liverpool have started poorly by their standards (ninth at present) with many of their supporters expecting little from this game. Nevertheless they are big favourites in my book but without Luis Suarez who ripped Rangers to pieces at Loftus Road last time the sides played there, it could be a bit closer. (Premier League, Sunday 19 October, 130pm. Ticket info)
2. Queens Park Rangers v Liverpool - some of the most memorable matches I have seen as a QPR supporter have been against the Reds. Some have ended in glory, others in disaster but they're rarely dull affairs. QPR have had a stinker of a start and prop up the league despite more big summer spending. Liverpool have started poorly by their standards (ninth at present) with many of their supporters expecting little from this game. Nevertheless they are big favourites in my book but without Luis Suarez who ripped Rangers to pieces at Loftus Road last time the sides played there, it could be a bit closer. (Premier League, Sunday 19 October, 130pm. Ticket info)
3. Fulham v Norwich City - prior to the international break the Cottagers were starting to show signs of improvement under caretaker boss Kit Symons. On Saturday they welcome Championship leaders Norwich, one of the sides they got relegated with last season. The Canaries enjoyed a far better landing in this division and although top, can't afford any slip ups as eight sides are within a win of each other in a very tight league table. One thing to boost Fulham hopes - Norwich have a very poor record at Craven Cottage. Their last win came in 1986. (Championship, Saturday 18 October, 3pm. Ticket info)
4. Millwall v Wolverhampton Wanderers - another of the sides in contention for top spot are Wolves. Recently promoted as champions of League One, the West Midlands club could move above Norwich with a win at the New Den. They have a decent record here and should feel confident as a six game winless streak has seen the Lions start to slide down the table after becoming early leaders. (Championship, Saturday 18 October, 3pm. Ticket info)
5. Bromley v Grays Athletic - it's FA Cup replay time on Tuesday night. The stakes are getting high now with only two wins separating one of these sides from a prestigious tie with a League One or Two side. On Saturday the sides fought out a 0-0 draw but with Bromley one of the better sides in the Conference South, they should start as favourites. The winners will travel to Evesham United who play at a lower level than both of them so the opportunity to make the First Round Proper is about as good as it can get. (FA Cup Third Qualifying Round replay, Tuesday 14 October, 745pm. Ticket info)
6. Wealdstone v Basingstoke Town - after their dreadful start the Stones have started to turn things round with seven points from their last four games. They are now out of the relegation zone and looking to progress. However, they'll have to be at their best on Saturday when current leaders Basingstoke pay a visit. They've won three on the trot to go two points clear of their nearest rivals with a game in hand. It's going to be tough. (Conference South, Saturday 18 October, 3pm. Ticket info)
7. Hendon v Margate - the game of the week in the Isthmian League takes place at Earlsmead where it's third versus second. Margate are the division's big spenders so it's no surprise that they've made such a good start. They're currently only two points behind leaders and Kent rivals Maidstone but they have a game in hand so top spot is theirs for the taking. Hendon, however, continue to defy the odds. Since losing their ground the Greens have struggled for support and money, with the Supporters' Trust often issuing pleas for cash. Despite this, manager Gary McCann has consistently produced competitive sides who challenge for a play-off spot. This year things have begun really well so it will be interesting to see how they do here. (Isthmian League Premier Division, Saturday 18 October, 3pm. Ticket info)
6. Wealdstone v Basingstoke Town - after their dreadful start the Stones have started to turn things round with seven points from their last four games. They are now out of the relegation zone and looking to progress. However, they'll have to be at their best on Saturday when current leaders Basingstoke pay a visit. They've won three on the trot to go two points clear of their nearest rivals with a game in hand. It's going to be tough. (Conference South, Saturday 18 October, 3pm. Ticket info)
7. Hendon v Margate - the game of the week in the Isthmian League takes place at Earlsmead where it's third versus second. Margate are the division's big spenders so it's no surprise that they've made such a good start. They're currently only two points behind leaders and Kent rivals Maidstone but they have a game in hand so top spot is theirs for the taking. Hendon, however, continue to defy the odds. Since losing their ground the Greens have struggled for support and money, with the Supporters' Trust often issuing pleas for cash. Despite this, manager Gary McCann has consistently produced competitive sides who challenge for a play-off spot. This year things have begun really well so it will be interesting to see how they do here. (Isthmian League Premier Division, Saturday 18 October, 3pm. Ticket info)
8. Whyteleafe v Chipstead - elsewhere in the Isthmian League we've got a Surrey derby between two sides who have started well. The Leafe came up from the Southern Counties East League last season and will hope to emulate VCD Athletic by achieving back-to-back promotions. At the moment they're second and acquitting themselves well. The Chips surprised a few with their blistering start which saw them top the table. Results have waned a bit and they've slipped to sixth but we should still get a good game here. (Isthmian League Division 1 South, Tuesday 14 October, 745pm. Ticket info)
9. Thurrock v Tilbury - what better way to start your weekend of football watching than an Essex derby in the FA Trophy on Friday night? That's we've got at Ship Lane where two of the Isthmian League Division 1 North's clubs go head-to-head. Thurrock, as one of the best sides in the division, will start as favourites. (FA Trophy, Friday 17 October 745pm. Ticket info)
10. North Greenford United v Hanwell Town - last up this week we've got another derby, this one over in west London. These two play only a Tube stop apart on either side of the A40 so geographically they are really close. Hanwell have played at a lower level for the last few seasons but won the Spartan South Midlands League last season to move into the Southern League alongside North Greenford where they've begun impressively. NGU have become perennial strugglers in this division and will have to raise their game to win this. (Southern League Cup, Tuesday 14 October, 745pm. Club info)
Hope you enjoyed Germany...was looking forward to Monday mornings dose of TLFG, as I normally have a look at what games to go to on a Tuesday or weds, but as your late this week, and the weathers crap here in London, ill give this week a miss!...keep up the good work though on this site as I really appreciate how much time and effort must be put in by yourself to get this out to all us groundhoppers!...thanks again, alan
ReplyDeleteJust to echo the previous comment really. This site is one I look at every week and takes so much of the hassle out of finding less obvious football matches to go to. Long may it continue, it's a superb and unparalleled resource.
ReplyDelete