TLFG: 30 March - 6 April 2015

What a day! 

If you're a regular reader of this blog then you'll know I've been helping the Football Association promote this season's FA Trophy Final.

Said match was on Sunday at Wembley and featured Conference National side Wrexham from Wales and Conference North club North Ferriby United from Humberside.

Wrexham, as the more senior club, started as favourites and breezed into a 2-0 lead which they held until 14 minutes from the end - then it all went a bit bonkers.

In the space of 10 minutes, the Villagers had drawn level and forced extra-time.

The part-timers then had the audacity to go 3-2 up but with only two minutes of the game remaining the Dragons drew level to salvage a shoot-out.

The teams line up for the national anthems

This also went on and on as several players missed their kicks before North Ferriby finally prevailed 5-4 on penalties. 

I took a number of friends - some of whom had never been to a football match and some who had no non-league experience but they all left the stadium buzzing. 

One of the newbies, primarily there to escort her kids, was all but pulling her hair out during the shoot-out.

Another claimed that he wasn't usually that bothered about football because most people he knew only watched it on TV and he couldn't get into it at all but the live experience was so much more engaging and would definitely return. There must be many more like him, we've just got to get them into the grounds.

It must surely be a contender for best FA Trophy Final of all time and one of the best of any kind of final that Wembley has hosted, it was that good. The only downside was that only 14,585 turned out to watch it.

This wasn't a great shock though - most neutrals have probably never heard of North Ferriby, the club itself come from a village of less than 4,000 inhabitants, Brazil were playing Chile over at Arsenal and the weather was pretty abysmal. Adult tickets were also £30 which if you're not interested in either team is highly likely to put you off - it was a reason I heard many times from supporters who told me they would not be going.

If that can be addressed and a couple of other tweaks can be made here and there, I genuinely believe the FA Trophy could become a much bigger event which the whole non-league and wider football community could embrace. If the FA invite us (the Non-League Day team) to participate again, which I hope they do, then I believe we could make it a really great day out.

On the subject of Non-League Day, we also announced the date of this year's event today. We've gone for Saturday 10 October.

We've switched from September because England have a Euro qualifier on the Saturday which we don't want to clash with. Now it's just a case of waiting for those fixtures to come out to see who's hosting and whether it's an FA Cup, Trophy or Vase day. 

Talking of the Vase, its final is on Saturday 9 May at Wembley between Glossop North End and North Shields. Tickets go on sale at 10am today (Monday) and I'd highly recommend it after today's fantastic match.

FOOTBALL BONANZA

The fun looks set to continue over the next week or so as we hit the Easter period.

Aside from Christmas, this is the best time to be in London to watch football as there is so much on. Most clubs will play twice between Friday and next Monday and more often than not it will be a derby. There are a few potential title deciders and a couple of minor cup finals too. Clubs could also get relegated during this time so it's a huge few days.

I've done two match maps this week to make sure things don't get too crowded and given you a special Easter weekend one which includes next Monday too. 

On the Monday it will also be possible to see two games in a day with all Combined Counties League games kicking off at 1130am, allowing you plenty of time to get to a 3pm kick-off somewhere else.

As a result of the huge amount of great games and partly due to a lack of time, there won't be a Top 10 this week. However, if I do get a bit of breathing space then I may revisit this decision before the weekend. UPDATE (01/04/15) - I have now put together a list of recommended games towards the bottom of the page.

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.

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 100 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).

MATCH MAP: 30 MARCH-2 APRIL
Yellow pin - Monday fixtures
Green pin - Tuesday fixtures

Turquoise pin - Wednesday fixtures

MATCH MAP: 3-6 APRIL

Claret pin - Good Friday fixtures

Blue pin - Easter Saturday fixtures

Yellow pin - Easter Monday fixtures

TLFG TOP GAMES

In this section I recommend a few games which I think are worth a special mention. Given it's Easter and there are so many good games taking place, I've listed more than the normal 10.

Good Friday

Fulham v Brentford - huge west London derby which has a bearing on both ends of the Championship table.

Millwall v Charlton Athletic - big south-east London derby in the Championship which could see the Lions all but down if they lose.

Easter Saturday

Arsenal v Liverpool - two of the biggest teams in the land battle to secure a Champions League spot.

Barnet v Nuneaton Town - massive game for both Conference clubs as they fight for the title and against relegation respectively.

Bromley v Boreham Wood - top two clash in the Conference South

Hendon v Maidstone United - top two clash in the Isthmian Premier

Enfield Town v Bognor Regis Town - battle for a play-off place in the Isthmian Premier

Metropolitan Police v East Thurrock United - another match between two play-off contenders in the Isthmian Premier and also only £1 to get in

Haringey Borough v Barking - top two clash in the Essex Senior League

Easter Monday

Crystal Palace v Manchester City - the Eagles welcome the reigning Premier League champions and title contenders

Watford v Middlesbrough - second versus third in the Championship

Dagenham & Redbridge v AFC Wimbledon - London derby in League Two

Dartford v Barnet - London derby in the Conference with both sides desperate for points at opposite ends of the table.

Dulwich Hamlet v Enfield Town - two teams scrapping for a play-off place in the Isthmian Premier

Hampton & Richmond Borough v Kingstonian - south-west London derby featuring teams who both have plenty to play for.

Wingate & Finchley v Hendon - north London derby between two teams chasing promotion and the title in the latter's case.

Thurrock v Romford - the hosts take on their tenants as they look to sneak into the Isthmian Division 1 North play-offs.

Barkingside v Redbridge - Ilford area derby between teams who used to groundshare but the original owners (Barkingside) were the ones that ended up moving out.

Walton Casuals v Walton & Hersham - local derby in Surrey, little to play for in terms of promotion or relegation though.

If you have any questions or want advice about watching football in London, you can contact TLFG using the comments section below or via Facebook, Twitter or email.

TLFG: 23-29 March 2015

In a bit of a rush this week as I'm heading out of town for a few days. Consequently there won't be a Top 10 which is a bit of a shame as there are quite a few derbies at non-league level so have a good look at the map to make sure you don't miss out.

On Saturday I managed to pull off the parkrun/football double again - I'm living a charmed life at the moment.

Starting the day with a couple of laps of a windy Wormwood Scrubs, the afternoon was spent at Grosvenor Vale for the Conference South clash between Wealdstone and local rivals Boreham Wood.

The Wood are going for the title this season and coped better with the windy conditions as they recorded a vital 0-1 win.

With leaders Bromley inexplicably losing 1-0 at home to Staines, a side so bad that they would've been relegated if they hadn't won, Ian Allinson's side closed the gap to a point.

Boreham Wood (white) go close to opening the scoring at Wealdstone

Last week I kicked off with a bit about the success of 'Pay What You Want' offers and this week I'm going to continue that theme by mentioning that Corinthian Casuals also enjoyed a big increase on their average gate.

Normally the eighth-tier team get around 150 through the turnstiles - yesterday they got 278. So what's that? About an 80% increase - not bad at all.

This Saturday, the March Madness is completed by fellow Isthmian League club Wingate & Finchley who host London rivals Dulwich Hamlet. Just to confirm, they are also running a 'Pay What You Want' promotion as part of a fun-packed community day.

The match kicks-off at 1pm because they've arranged a groundhop double with neighbours Haringey Borough who've pushed their Essex Senior League game against Hullbridge Sports back to 330pm. Not only this but Haringey are laying on a free minibus to transport you between the two (see Wingate's website for details of reserving a place). I'm not sure if Haringey are offering any discount on admission to the game itself but they only charge £5-6 anyway so it's already cheap. Good luck to all involved!

One of the main reasons the clubs chose to arrange this event is because we've got another international break this weekend - if you're hoping to see some Premier League or Championship football this week then you're out of luck.

This week the highest level games will be England's Euro 2016 qualifier against Lithuania at Wembley and Brazil's friendly against Chile at Arsenal's ground. Not bad substitutes and both still have tickets available.

THE FA TROPHY FINAL

Personally though, I'll be off to Wembley on Sunday to the FA Trophy Final which myself and the rest of the Non-League Day team are still continuing our efforts to promote.

If you missed it, we're trying to create a big non-league get-together at the country's national stadium on 29 March at 130pm for what is effectively the non-league cup final.

With it being on the Sunday, aside from a match at Fleetwood Town, there won't be any Premier League or Football League action alongside it. Also, there will be virtually nothing happening lower down the pyramid either so I heartily invite you to join us.

The record crowd since the competition began in 1969/70 is 53,262 which was achieved back in 2007 when Stevenage Borough beat Kidderminster Harriers and getting anywhere near that will be a huge challenge.

This year's final will see North Ferriby United play Wrexham.

Very well done to the aptly named Villagers from the Conference North. They come quite literally from a village near Hull with a population of only 3,893 (2011 Census) so filling Wembley will be tough.

I'm hoping the Dragons will bring a few though. They were a League One side not all that long ago so it will be a real David v Goliath contest which I'm looking forward to.

COMPETITION RESULT

Over the last week we ran a competition giving you the chance to win a pair of tickets to the FA Trophy Final. To win you had to answer the following question:

The highest attendance in FA Trophy Final history was set in 2007 but which club won it that year?

The answer was of course Stevenage Borough.

We had two pairs to give away and by chance both our winners were called David. I'm not too sure how much more I can announce for data protection reasons but the tickets will be heading out first class over the next day or two.

If you didn't win then there's still time to book tickets online and I'm told you will be able to buy at the stadium on the day if you want to leave it until the last minute.

CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS

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.

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 90 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).

MATCH MAP
Yellow pin - Monday fixtures
Green pin - Tuesday fixtures

Turquoise pin - Wednesday fixtures
Orange pin - Thursday fixtures
Claret pin - Friday fixtures
Blue pin - Saturday fixtures
White pin - Sunday fixtures

If you have any questions or want advice about watching football in London, you can contact TLFG using the comments section below or via Facebook, Twitter or email.

TLFG: 16-22 March 2015

At TLFG we love a deal and there's been plenty of great stuff going on. This week we summarise what our local clubs have been up to and there's also news of an exciting competition we're running where you could win a trip to Wembley.

Throughout March, there has been and will be a 'Pay What You Want' deal every Saturday.

Last weekend Sutton United tried it, this weekend it was Northwood. Next week it's Corinthian Casuals' turn and finally Wingate & Finchley the Saturday after that.

On the face of it, 'Pay What You Want' seems to be quite a gamble but in the overwhelming majority of cases it brings great rewards.

Corinthian Casuals become the latest club to offer a 'Pay What You Want' deal

More often than not, you get a much bigger crowd than normal with people happy to pay the going rate anyway and if they don't then they more than make up the difference on programmes, raffles, refreshments, merchandise or all of the above. Usually the club ends up making a decent profit.

In the two games so far this month Sutton drew 861 for the visit of Hayes & Yeading United - their highest crowd of the season, approximately 300 more than usual. While Northwood got 343 which was also their highest crowd by a long way - their average is just 121. So a resounding success in both cases.

Next up it's Isthmian League club Corinthian Casuals. They host promotion contenders Herne Bay on what will be their Family Day. There's lots planned and it's easy to get to. If you don't drive, the ground is a short walk from Tolworth station which is less than half an hour from Waterloo.

Casuals have been averaging crowds of 153 so lets see what kind of boost they receive.

THE FA TROPHY FINAL

In other news, we (the Non-League Day team) are still continuing our efforts to promote an important match which is coming up at Wembley.

If you missed it, we're trying to create a big non-league get-together at the country's national stadium on Sunday 29 March for the FA Trophy Final - effectively the non-league cup final.

It coincides with the next international break and with it being on the Sunday, aside from a match at Fleetwood Town up near Blackpool, there won't be any Premier League or Football League action alongside it. Also, there will be virtually nothing happening lower down the pyramid either so I heartily invite you to join us.

The record crowd since the competition began in 1969/70 is 53,262 which was achieved back in 2007 when Stevenage Borough beat Kidderminster Harriers and getting anywhere near that will be a huge challenge.

This year's final will see North Ferriby United play Wrexham.

Very well done to the aptly named Villagers from the Conference North. They come quite literally from a village near Hull with a population of only 3,893 (2011 Census) so filling Wembley will be tough.

I'm hoping the Dragons will bring a few though. They were a League One side not all that long ago so it will be a real David v Goliath contest which I'm looking forward to.

COMPETITION TIME!!!

If you want to join us at Wembley then we've got two pairs of tickets to give away (travel not included). Simply email us the answer to the following question by 11:59pm GMT on Saturday 21 March and we'll reveal the winners the following day:

The highest attendance in FA Trophy Final history was set in 2007 but which club won it that year?

a) Barrow

b) Ebbsfleet United

c) Stevenage Borough

Good luck!

If you don't win or want to make sure of your place then tickets are still available to buy:

Adults: £30

Senior citizens/Students: £20

U16s: £10

However, these prices drop significantly if you bring a group of 15 or more:

Adults: £15

Senior citizens/Students: £10

U16s: £5

Personally I think these are fair prices, given it's a Wembley cup final. If you're visiting London and want to see a game at one of the best and most famous football stadiums in the world then you won't get a much better chance than this. Hope to see you there.

CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS

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.

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 90 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).

MATCH MAP
Yellow pin - Monday fixtures
Green pin - Tuesday fixtures

Turquoise pin - Wednesday fixtures
Orange pin - Thursday fixtures
Claret pin - Friday fixtures
Blue pin - Saturday fixtures
White pin - Sunday fixtures

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. Queens Park Rangers v Everton - there's nothing particularly awesome going on in the Premier League this week and I've highlighted this because it's the only one with any tickets left. QPR disgraced themselves with a particularly limp display at Crystal Palace on Saturday and are now second from bottom, four points adrift of safety. The Toffees are having one of their poorest seasons for a while and are by no means home and dry but a solid 3-0 win over Newcastle on Sunday suggests Rangers will have to pull their socks up to stand a chance. (Premier League, Sunday 22 March, 4pm. Ticket info)

2. Watford v Ipswich Town - all the most exciting looking stuff appears to be in the Championship where there are at least five games I'd happily recommend. The pick is this one against two promotion contenders. This time last week four teams were sharing top spot, this has now been whittled down to three with Watford still in this elite group. Not only this but they are unbeaten in five, meaning they are the most in-form side in the division. Ipswich were right up there but have slipped to seventh after a 4-1 humbling by Middlesbrough on Saturday. This took their winless run to four so they look vulnerable. (Championship, Saturday 21 March, 3pm. Ticket info)

3. Brentford v Millwall - a little earlier in the day we have this London derby which is of great importance at both ends of the table. After suffering a 2-1 loss at home to Cardiff on Saturday, the Bees have been left in sixth, clinging on to the last play-off spot. Cross-town rivals Millwall, after topping the table at the start of the season, have gone on to have a complete stinker and are now certainties for relegation after their loss to Bolton left them nine points adrift of Rotherham in the all-important 21st place. Unperturbed, the Lions have sold out their allocation and will do their bit to make Brentford's afternoon as uncomfortable as possible.  (Championship, Saturday 14 March, 1pm. Ticket info)

4. The Football League Trophy Final - up at Wembley we've got the second cup final of the season. If you don't know, this is a knockout competition for clubs in League One and League Two and this year it's Bristol City and Walsall who've made it. The Robins are currently runaway leaders of the third tier so you'd expect them to start as favourites. The Saddlers are in lower midtable and have only won one of their last seven league games but will take confidence from the fact that they held City to a 1-1 draw when they last met. Around 70,000 tickets have been sold so far so it looks set to be a big occasion. There are still some tickets left on general sale, mainly in the Walsall end, so don't miss out on your chance of attending a Wembley final.  (Football League Trophy Final, Sunday 22 March, 330pm. Tickets are available directly from the clubs: Bristol City, Walsall)

5. Leyton Orient v Barnsley - if you want some more run of the mill League One action then we've got a game between sides who need the points for differing reasons. The O's won their crucial match against bottom club Yeovil on Saturday as their fight against relegation got back on track. With three wins from five, they've given themselves a real chance of staying up. However, on Tuesday they welcome an impressive looking Barnsley side who moved into the top six with a 3-1 win over Oldham. That win was their sixth on the bounce so Orient are going to have to raise their game another notch to be able to compete. (League One, Tuesday 17 March, 745pm. Ticket info)

6. AFC Wimbledon v Portsmouth - how are the might fallen. On Saturday we've got a League Two encounter between two clubs who have won the FA Cup during my lifetime. The Dons famously overcame Liverpool in 1988 while Pompey have won it twice in 1939 and 2008. Both have suffered considerable trauma in the intervening years, which I won't go into here, but they now find themselves a point and place apart in England's fourth tier. Wimbledon have enjoyed the upper hand over the last season and half and won 2-0 at Fratton Park on Boxing Day. Unsurprisingly, a big crowd is expected so tickets won't be going on general sale. (League Two, Saturday 21 March, 3pm. Ticket info)

7. Barnet v Welling United - it was a great weekend for both these TLFG sides as they recorded vital away wins. The Bees' success at fellow promotion hopefuls Eastleigh saw them reclaim top spot from Bristol Rovers who failed to win for the second game running. The Wings, toiling at the other end of the table, under new caretaker boss Loui Fazakerly netted a fine 2-0 win at Lincoln City to keep them in with a chance of avoiding the drop. These derby games tend to be quite tight affairs but Barnet are definitely favourites. (Conference National, Saturday 21 March, 3pm. Ticket info)

8. Wealdstone v Boreham Wood - the Wood managed to match leaders Bromley's result on Saturday meaning they're still just a point behind in second. Given the Ravens face both of the bottom two at home this week, that lead is likely to be extended whatever Boreham Wood achieve. On Saturday they face a short but awkward trip to local rivals Wealdstone whose vocal supporters should create a tough atmosphere in which to try and win. After climbing well away from the relegation zone, the Stones have had a horrible couple of games which have seen them ship seven goals. They should be well up for this one though. Game on! (Conference South, Saturday 21 March, 3pm. Ticket info)

9. Dulwich Hamlet v East Thurrock United - despite being a seventh-tier team, Dulwich are making most of the non-league headlines in London this year. Although decent on the pitch, it's their off-field activities that create most news. Whether it's mammoth crowds on Non-League Day (c.3,000), championing the anti-racist, anti-homophobia and anti-sexist causes in football, collecting for foodbanks or for simply creating arguably the best day out in the game at any level it's been quite a season. They've been occupying a play-off place for most of the campaign but they've suddenly hit a sticky patch. Without a win in five, they face a testing game against another side looking to make the play-offs. Crowds are the highest they've been for years so arrive early as there's bound to be a queue. (Isthmian League Premier Division, Saturday 21 March, 3pm. Ticket info)

10. Chelsea U18 v Tottenham Hotspur U18 - if you want a bargain bucket trip to Stamford Bridge then this is the game for you. It's FA Youth Cup semi-final second leg time so it's a huge moment for the youngsters involved. The Blues have dominated this tournament in recent seasons but have their work cut out after losing the first leg 2-0. Adult tickets are only £5 but must be booked by 4pm on the day of the match - no tickets will be on sale on the turnstiles. (FA Youth Cup semi-final second leg, Wednesday 18 March, 7pm. Ticket info)

If you have any questions or want advice about watching football in London, you can contact TLFG using the comments section below or via Facebook, Twitter or email.

TLFG: 9-15 March 2015

After managing to do the 'parkrun/trip to football' double last weekend, I only went and pulled it off again this time too!

Not only this but I got my wife and daughter (in a buggy) plus a number of my wife's friends and kids to have a run/walk too as we tried out the new event in Cassiobury Park in Watford. It's an excellent largely flat course and potentially pretty quick so give it a go.

I then took some of the aforementioned kids with me to watch QPR v Spurs later in the afternoon back in Shepherd's Bush.

Like the match against Arsenal in midweek which I also went to, Rangers started well but didn't take their chances and ended up chasing a 2-0 deficit with 20-30 minutes to go.

In both QPR did fightback and get a goal but then failed to find the all-important equaliser and lose 2-1.

TLFG reader Gary paid a visit to the Boleyn Ground and sent in this picture

Given how well my beloved side competed against supposedly superior teams it was a shame they got nothing.

The Tottenham game also offered a great chance to compare the two English strikers who are currently scoring for fun and looking to break into the national side.

Despite being a Rangers supporter and huge fan of Charlie Austin, I genuinely believe Harry Kane is a better and more polished prospect.

Austin is rugged and all about power - perhaps too much at times as his shot which almost knocked the goal down when he slammed it against the bar from point-blank range demonstrated.

Kane appears more versatile, has greater mobility and seems like a more 'international' player. He also scored both of the visitors' goals.

Austin's highlight actually came from his defensive work where he tracked back to block an initial cross-shot and then recovered to stop the rebound on the goal line. It was a stunning bit of play that any top defender would've been proud of let alone one of the best centre-forwards in the country. This is a regular part of his game and shows what a great team player he is.

This week it was also good to hear from TLFG reader Gary from Cheshire who was down in London on business and joined some season-ticket holding friends for the West Ham v Chelsea derby game on Wednesday which the Blues won 1-0. He sent in some photos so thanks a lot Gary, much appreciated.

THE FA TROPHY FINAL

If you didn't already know, the Non-League Day team are trying to promote an important match which is coming up at Wembley.

If you missed it, we're trying to create a big non-league get-together at the country's national stadium on Sunday 29 March for the FA Trophy Final - effectively the non-league cup final.

It coincides with the next international break and with it being on the Sunday, aside from a match at Fleetwood Town up near Blackpool, there won't be any Premier League or Football League action alongside it. Also, there will be virtually nothing happening lower down the pyramid either so I heartily invite you to join us.

The record crowd since the competition began in 1969 is 53,262 which was achieved back in 2007 shortly after the 'new' Wembley opened and getting anywhere near that will be a huge challenge.

This year's final will see North Ferriby United play Wrexham.

Very well done to the aptly named Villagers from the Conference North. They come quite literally from a village near Hull with a population of only 3,893 (2011 Census) so filling Wembley might be tough.

I'm hoping the Dragons will bring a few though. They were a League One side not all that long ago so it will be a real David v Goliath contest which I'm looking forward to. 

Sadly the early-bird deadline for cheaper tickets has passed so tickets now cost:

Adults: £30

Senior citizens/Students: £20

U16s: £10

However, these prices drop significantly if you bring a group of 15 or more:

Adults: £15

Senior citizens/Students: £10

U16s: £5

Personally I think these are fair prices, given it's a Wembley cup final. If you're visiting London and want to see a game at one of the best and most famous football stadiums in the world then you won't get a much better chance than this. Hope to see you there.

CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS

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.

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 80 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).

MATCH MAP
Green pin - Tuesday fixtures

Turquoise pin - Wednesday fixtures
Orange pin - Thursday fixtures
Blue pin - Saturday fixtures
White pin - Sunday fixtures

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. Chelsea v Paris St Germain - it's not hard to see why this big cross channel Champions League tie tops the list this week. With the competition down to its last 16, two of the richest sides in the world meet at Stamford Bridge for the second leg of this tie. After drawing 1-1 in the French capital a couple of weeks ago, it's all to play for on Wednesday night. They also met in this last season where only away goals after a 3-3 aggregate score saw Chelsea progress. It could well come down to that again. (Champions League, Wednesday 11 March, 745pm. Ticket info)

2. Arsenal v West Ham United - elsewhere we've got some great derbies to look forward to too. The Gunners are really building momentum at the moment winning seven of their last eight league games to move up to third. This is in stark contrast to the Hammers who started the season superbly but have since slipped badly, picking up only one victory since Christmas.The north London club have won their last nine games in all competitions against the East End's finest and that run looks likely to be extended on Saturday. Home areas for this game are sold out but West Ham's website suggests tickets in their section might still be available. (Premier League, Saturday 14 March, 3pm. Home ticket info)

3. Crystal Palace v Queens Park Rangers - earlier in the day down in SE25 we have London derby number two as my beloved QPR take their relegation fight to the Eagles. These two are similar size clubs and it is therefore of great credit to the powers that be at Palace that they seem to be establishing themselves as a solid midtable Premier League side following their promotion in 2013. They comfortably avoided the drop last season and should do again this time round. Rangers, despite potentially much bigger finances, haven't come close to doing this in their three most recent seasons in the top flight and should try and emulate the Palace model. It ended 0-0 at Loftus Road in December and was a turgid affair but the teams have both improved since then. Tickets for Selhurst Park in the home sections require membership but some are still available on general sale in the away section so contact QPR. (Premier League, Saturday 14 March, 1245pm. Home ticket info)

4. Watford v Reading - in the Championship, two of QPR's other traditional rivals who also yo-yo between the top two divisions meet on Saturday. It's been eight years since the Hornets last competed at the top level but they've got a huge chance of getting back up this time. The division was already tight but after this weekend's results there are now four teams tied for top spot and Watford are one of them. Of that quartet, they are the ones in the best form so it's looking good. Since getting relegated with QPR two years ago, the Royals have struggled and are 18th at the time of writing. Although they will start as underdogs, the Berkshire club are unbeaten on their last three visits to this part of the world so could dig in and frustrate.  (Championship, Saturday 14 March, 3pm. Ticket info)

5. Leyton Orient v Yeovil Town - the struggling O's looked to be mounting a bit of a fightback this time last week but unsurprising back-to-back defeats against promotion contenders Bristol City and Peterborough United have halted their advance. However, they have a huge match against fellow strugglers Yeovil to prepare for on Saturday. Four go down in this division and only three points separate the bottom five so winning this will be crucial for both. Orient can take confidence from the fact they won 3-0 at Huish Park in December, one of the best performances of their season. (League One, Saturday 14 March, 3pm. Ticket info)

6. Dagenham & Redbridge v Southend United - the Daggers have had a great week, notching wins over fellow strugglers Hartlepool and Tranmere in the space of four days. These results have moved them nine points clear of the relegation zone and given them some breathing space. Next up they welcome the Shrimpers for an Essex derby. Phil Brown's side are fourth, just outside the automatic promotion places and will present a stiff test but Dagenham are undefeated in four against their county rivals so shouldn't be overawed.  (League Two, Saturday 14 March, 3pm. Ticket info)

7. Boreham Wood v Whitehawk - the Conference South title race took another twist on Saturday as leaders Bromley lost to fellow Kent club Ebbsfleet while second placed Boreham Wood picked up a 1-0 win at Maidenhead to cut the gap to just a point. The Wood's next league match sees them welcome Whitehawk who still have title ambitions of their own with eight games to go. It's notable that both clubs are in the top four despite averaging crowds of below 300. The hosts are known to be well run financially while the Sussex outfit have an owner who has invested heavily. How either would survive in the Conference National against much bigger clubs, some who attract 10 times as many fans, is hard to imagine. (Conference South, Saturday 14 March, 3pm. Ticket info)

8. Hendon v Margate - on Wednesday night two of the Isthmian's top four meet in the semi-final of the league cup. Being two points ahead and on a great run of results, the visitors would've probably started as favourites but a 3-0 home defeat to Enfield Town on Saturday has made them look vulnerable. The Greens are unbeaten in seven and beat Margate 3-2 in the league game at Earlsmead back in October so they've got a great chance. If I was Hendon boss I'd really commit to winning this. Margate are a much bigger club and hence better equipped for promotion - this again could add to their vulnerability as their eyes could be on another prize. (Isthmian League Cup semi-final, Wednesday 11 March, 745pm. Ticket info)

9. Northwood v Uxbridge - I love it when clubs try to do something a bit special to get extra people in and this week it's Northwood who are going the extra mile. The Southern League club are holding a community day on Saturday and are running a 'Pay What You Can' promotion as well as a number of other supplementary events so please take them up on their offer as I may well do. The match itself should be a good one. It's a local derby and the teams are only a place in a part in the table. If you live in Northwood, Ruislip, Harrow or Watford then this could be a fine way to spend your afternoon. (Southern League Division 1 Central, Saturday 14 March, 3pm. Club info)

10. Molesey v Cove - at the time of writing, the Moles are fifth some 12 points adrift of Combined Counties League leaders Cove. Strangely though, this could almost act as title decider between the two clubs. As mentioned, Cove are well clear at the top but Molesey have six games in hand so could surpass them by some distance if they win them. The Hampshire club won the reverse fixture 2-1 in September and are in better form at the present time so are still very much the team to beat. (Combined Counties League Premier Division, Tuesday 10 March, 745pm. Club info)

If you have any questions or want advice about watching football in London, you can contact TLFG using the comments section below or via Facebook, Twitter or email.

TLFG: 2-8 March 2015

For the first time in a long while I managed to do the double - take part in a parkrun and go to a match on the same day.

The trade off was babysitting for the whole of Sunday. It was a deal I took very little time to think about.

My run had a football theme to it this week as I ventured a couple of miles south to the leafy banks of the Thames and Bishops Park. For non-locals, this is right next to Fulham's Craven Cottage ground and the run takes you along the back of the Putney End.

With that done, I prepared for my afternoon entertainment which for once saw me take my own advice and head off to a game in TLFG's Top 10.

At long last I made my first visit to Park View Road the home of Welling United. However, it wasn't them I watched but groundsharers Erith & Belvedere who had a huge cup match against North Shields.

The cup in question was the FA Vase which had reached its quarter-final stage. This meant the teams were only two rounds from a very memorable trip to Wembley.

With leagues regionalised at this level, clubs like these would never play each other without the Vase so it was a big deal in every sense.

For overseas readers, North Shields is in the north-east near Newcastle. Consequently their players and fans would need to make a 500+ mile round trip to take part.

The opening exchanges were cagey and the first half ended goalless with few great chances for either.

Things opened up a bit for the visitors after the interval and two goals before the hour mark put them in total control. Two or three shots from distance late on were the best the Deres could really muster and they duly bowed out.

North Shields celebrate victory with their fans

As the only TLFG club left in, it would've been great to see them progress but it sadly wasn't to be.

Of the 503 crowd, the visitors must have brought about 150-200 but were by far the more vocal and created all the atmosphere. Their team played well and deserved a place in the semi-finals.

But before the Vase final, the Non-League Day team are still trying to promote another important day at Wembley.

If you missed it, we're trying to create a big non-league get-together at the country's national stadium on Sunday 29 March for the FA Trophy Final - effectively the non-league cup final.

It coincides with the next international break and with it being on the Sunday, aside from a match at Fleetwood Town up near Blackpool, there won't be any Premier League or Football League action alongside it. Also, there will be virtually nothing happening lower down the pyramid either so I heartily invite you to join us.

The record crowd since the competition began in 1969 is 53,262 which was achieved back in 2007 shortly after the 'new' Wembley opened and getting anywhere near that will be a huge challenge.

This year's final will see North Ferriby United play Wrexham.

Very well done to the aptly named Villagers from the Conference North. They come quite literally from a village near Hull with a population of only 3,893 (2011 Census) so filling Wembley might be tough.

I'm hoping the Dragons will bring a few though. They were a League One side not all that long ago so it will be a real David v Goliath contest which I'm looking forward to. 

Don't forget that the early bird deadline is this Wednesday 4 March so don't hang about or the prices will go up. Early bird prices are as follows:

Adults: £20

Senior citizens/Students: £10

U16s: £7.50

If you buy 15 or more tickets you'll qualify for group rates (there is no deadline for this):

Adults: £15

Senior citizens/Students: £10

U16s: £5

Personally I think these are very fair prices, given it's a Wembley cup final. If you're visiting London and want to see a game at one of the best and most famous football stadiums in the world then you won't get a much better chance than this. Hope to see you there.

CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS

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.

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 80 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).

MATCH MAP
Yellow pin - Monday fixtures
Green pin - Tuesday fixtures

Turquoise pin - Wednesday fixtures
Orange pin - Thursday fixtures
Claret pin - Friday fixtures
Blue pin - Saturday fixtures
White pin - Sunday fixtures

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. West Ham United v Chelsea - just three days after winning the League Cup at Wembley, the Blues travel to Upton Park to face the Hammers. The rivalry between these two from opposite sides of the capital is fairly intense. However, the east Londoners have a pretty poor record against the Stamford Bridge outfit and appear to be running out of steam. Winless in five in the league, Sam Allardyce's side come into this on the back of a comprehensive 3-1 home defeat by Crystal Palace who played the last 20-odd minutes with 10 men. Chelsea are five points clear at the top and start as big favourites. (Premier League, Wednesday 4 March, 745pm. Ticket info)

2. Queens Park Rangers v Arsenal - there are some big derbies in London this week and QPR have two in three days against the north London clubs. First up are the Gunners who have, ominously, run into some good league form. Putting aside their Champions League humbling by Monaco, Arsene Wenger's team have won six of their last seven Premier League matches and now look capable of catching second placed Manchester City. Rangers are just above the relegation zone and usually lose but always push Arsenal hard with the winning margin never more than one goal on the last five occasions. (Premier League, Wednesday 4 March, 745pm. Ticket info)

3. Watford v Fulham - two more TLFG teams lock horns, no pun intended, on Tuesday night up at Vicarage Road. Watford have collected 15 points from their last six games to move up to fourth, only three points off top club Derby in what has become an incredibly tight division. The reason they are so close is partly down to the Cottagers' shock 2-0 win over the leaders on Saturday. Having already been thrashed on two previous occasions this season, Kit Symons' side did tremendously well to overturn the Rams and move eight points clear of the bottom three. They'll have to stay focused against the Hornets, though, as they lost the reverse fixture 5-0 shortly before Christmas. (Championship, Tuesday 3 March, 745pm. Ticket info)

4. Leyton Orient v Bristol City - the O's looked like a lost cause a couple of weeks ago but suddenly it's all changed. Cramming in four games since then, the east London club have won three of them to climb to within a point of safety. On Tuesday night that could all end when the league leaders come to town. The Robins aren't in exceptional form at the moment but are eight points clear after squeaking past midtable Rochdale on Saturday. They shouldn't be complacent here either as Orient managed to hold them to a 0-0 draw at Ashton Gate back in August. (League One, Tuesday 3 March, 745pm. Ticket info)

5. AFC Wimbledon v Southend United - the Dons have had a good season and keep threatening to mount a play-off bid only to throw it away with a silly result or two. The latest aberration came at bottom club Hartlepool on Saturday where they lost 1-0. This result left them eight points short of a place in the top seven which will be tough to bridge. However, Southend are in that leading group so if they can beat them it should reignite their hopes. (League Two, Tuesday 3 March, 745pm. Ticket info)

6. Barnet v Forest Green Rovers - having been top pretty much all season it must have been really disappointing for Bees fans to see their team fritter away a sizeable lead and get caught by Bristol Rovers last week. Wins for both this weekend meant the status quo was maintained with the West Country side two points ahead. This week's challenge comes in the form of another team from way out west who look similarly impressive. With a record equal to that of the leaders over the last 10 games, Forest Green have earned a place in the top five but have to keep winning as they have played more games then all those around them. Barnet have won their last five against Forest Green so will still fancy their chances. (Conference National, Saturday 7 March, 3pm. Ticket info)

7. Sutton United v Hayes & Yeading United - there are perhaps bigger games in the division this week but this will probably get the biggest crowd. Sutton are one of the larger non-league sides in London and usually challenge for promotion but this season has been a disappointment. They are thankfully on the up and shouldn't have to worry about relegation. Hayes and Yeading, however, will. A former Conference National side, H&Y should feature in this blog but don't have a ground of their own and have been playing at Woking and Maidenhead United's grounds over the last few seasons instead. Consequently they're struggling for support and are now just one point above the relegation zone - something that saw the club part company with manager Phil Babb last week. So why will this get such a monster crowd? Well it's 'Pay What You Want' day at Gander Green Lane. The U's always put on some good supplementary activities to make the day even better - comedian Tim Vine is the star turn this time. (Conference South, Saturday 7 March, 3pm. Ticket info: Pay What You Want)

8. Metropolitan Police v Wingate & Finchley - in contrast to the previous game, this may not get the biggest crowd in the Isthmian League this week but it should produce a good game. The fact that these two are among the smallest clubs in the division but are still well in the hunt for a play-off place is testament to the skills of the management teams in place. To make it to the 'post-season' you need to finish in the top five. The Met have fifth spot at the moment but Wingate are just a point behind and want to take it off them - the stage is set... (Isthmian League Premier Division, Saturday 7 March, 3pm. Club info)

9. Sun Sports v AFC Dunstable - the big games are coming thick and fast at the top of the Spartan South Midlands League at the moment. On Saturday Sun Sports picked up a very tidy 2-0 win at title rivals and near neighbours Harefield to end the weekend in fourth. Realistically, though, it's all about Kings Langley at the moment. They are top and have three or more games in hand on all their challengers. The closest of these are Dunstable who are just one point behind but have played four games more. Simply put, both sides have to win to have any chance of the title. (Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division, Saturday 7 March, 3pm. Club info)

10. Tottenham Hotspur U18s v Chelsea U18s - I don't often put youth or reserve games in this section but this one is quite a big deal. On Thursday night these two will contest the first leg of this season's FA Youth Cup semi-final. With it being a big occasion, the match is being played at White Hart Lane to showcase the youngsters' talents. Chelsea have been to the last three finals, winning two of them so should be favourites here. Several thousand fans are expected and with tickets at only £5 for adults it's no surprise. The club strongly advise you to book in advance if you want to go. (FA Youth Cup semi-final first leg, Thursday 5 March, 745pm. Ticket info)

If you have any questions or want advice about watching football in London, you can contact TLFG using the comments section below or via Facebook, Twitter or email.