TLFG: 30 November - 6 December 2015

Hello one and all and welcome to TLFG.

How has your week been? Enjoyed a game or two?

Mine has been notable for the two sides I follow picking up a couple of notable 1-0 wins.

First up I'd like to congratulate Harrow Borough on their surprise victory over Isthmian League leaders Dulwich Hamlet.

Compared to recent years, Boro are having a pretty decent season so it wasn't a total shock but the recent FA Trophy match between the sides at Earlsmead had seen the south Londoners win 3-0 so a repeat wouldn't have been unexpected. 

Shock results like this are one of the best things about being a Harrow supporter. It seems to be a mark of Boro squads that they get themselves up for the big games and then return to far more uninspiring fare soon after, as evidenced by the defeats to lowly VCD Athletic and north London rivals Wingate & Finchley which bookended the Dulwich result.

Elswhere, QPR also returned to winning ways with a well deserved albeit narrow win over Leeds United. Reports suggest the R's gave a far more accomplished performance than of late with star striker Charlie Austin coming off the bench on the hour to score the decisive goal with his first touch. 

Many fans, myself included, would be more than happy to see caretaker manager Neil Warnock continue in the job for at least the rest of the season but whether he or the club want that seems unclear with other names firmly in the frame.

This week, aside from the usual league action we've also got the second round of the FA Cup to look forward to.

This represents the final hurdle for League One, League Two and the few remaining non-league clubs before the big boys of the Premier League and Championship enter the draw.

For clubs like Welling United, the London area's only non-league side left in the competition, it could be a defining moment in their history.

UPDATE (30/11/15): SOUTH LONDON DOUBLE-HEADER

I have received word from the good people at the Dulwich Hamlet Supporters' Trust that a number of clubs in their part of town have come together to put on a two-game football feast this Saturday 5 December.

Starting at 1230pm you can watch the London Senior Trophy tie between Peckham Town and Tooting Bec for FREE at the Southwark Sports Ground on the edge of Dulwich Park. A match programme is being produced and a 50:50 draw is being held to raise funds for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.

Once that finishes, it's just a short ride on the P13 bus to Champion Hill for the Isthmian League game between Dulwich Hamlet and Needham Market. This game is being used to raise awareness of the issues around gambling addiction.

Enjoy your week.

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 on the following match maps. If you've never used them 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 drop down menu at the top of the map page to make sure you get all the information. Games are listed from top to bottom in date order so Monday's games (yellow pin) will appear first and Sunday's (white pin) last. Games are also ranked in terms of status so the higher the division, the higher up the list they will appear on each day.

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).

MIDWEEK MATCH MAP
Yellow pin - Monday fixtures
Green pin - Tuesday fixtures
Red pin - Wednesday fixtures
Purple pin - Thursday fixtures
Black pin - Friday fixtures

WEEKEND MATCH MAP

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. Arsenal v Sunderland - by the time you read this, the Gunners could well be top of the league. It all depends on the result of their Sunday afternoon game at Norwich which they should win. Up until a few days ago, this match against the Mackems would probably have been a formality but Arsenal have wobbled a bit of late and Sunderland have suddenly gone on a two-game winning streak as Sam Allardyce's methods have started to bear fruit. Arsene Wenger's charges should still win and rarely slip up in home games against the Black Cats but it did end all square back in May when they last met. (Premier League, Saturday 5 December, 3pm. Ticket info)

2. Brentford v MK Dons - after a poor start, the Bees sacked their manager and have steadily climbed the table to become London's top-ranked club in the Championship. Caretaker boss Lee Carsley has done a great job but doesn't want it full time and may well have been replaced by the time this game takes place. The visitors had been knocking on the door of the second tier for several seasons and finally made it up in May. Given the resources behind them I expected a much stronger challenge from the Buckinghamshire club but they have become relegation contenders rather than play-off candidates. Another win for Brentford looks likely. (Championship, Saturday 5 December, 3pm. Ticket info)

3. Millwall v Wycombe Wanderers - the FA Cup reaches its crucial second round stage this weekend which means all teams are just 90 minutes away from playing a Premier League club in January's third round. Probably the biggest tie in London is this one. The Lions continued their push for a place in the League One play-offs with an important win over Bury on Saturday. They should start as favourites as Wycombe play in the division below but they too are chasing promotion, are unbeaten in six and often push Millwall hard with games between the two tending to be close. Also, all adults tickets have been reduced to £15. (FA Cup Second Round, Saturday 5 December, 3pm. Ticket info)

4. Leyton Orient v Scunthorpe United - there's a chance of a cupset at Brisbane Road where League Two play-off contenders Leyton Orient host the Iron from League One. The O's really should be firmly established among the division's leading pack by now but are being annoyingly inconsistent. They are, however, unbeaten in three - a run which has included tricky opponents like Plymouth and local rivals AFC Wimbledon. Scunthorpe built up some decent momentum in October but things have gone a bit awry of late and they will really hope to arrest their recent poor run here. The vast majority of adults tickets are also selling for £15. (FA Cup Second Round, Saturday 5 December, 3pm. Ticket info)

5. Barnet v Newport County - at The Hive we have a game between a pair of League Two's strugglers. Both of these former non-league sides are in the bottom six so could do with the fillip of a good cup run and a draw against one of the nation's biggest clubs. Although the Welsh side are below Barnet in the table, their position is slightly misleading as they are draw specialists and haven't lost in nine games across all competitions. Replay anyone? Once again, adult tickets are £15 throughout the ground. (FA Cup Second Round, Saturday 5 December, 3pm. Ticket info)

6. Dagenham & Redbridge v Whitehawk - like the two sides above, the Daggers are also having a rough time towards the foot of League Two and could do with a morale-boosting win here. On paper they should see off Whitehawk without too much fuss as they play two levels below them but it's rarely that straightforward in the FA Cup. Not only are Dagenham a bit iffy, the Hawks are having a fine season progressing well in the league, FA Cup and FA Trophy. There's real cupset potential here. It's also on Sunday with adult tickets ranging from just £10-12 so it's a great chance to do a bit of groundhopping or see a second game if your team are playing on Saturday. (FA Cup Second Round, Sunday 6 December, 2pm. Ticket info)

7. Welling United v Carlisle United - of all the non-league clubs in the TLFG region which entered the FA Cup this season, the Wings are the last ones still standing. After seeing off Grays Athletic and Barwell in previous rounds, they find themselves facing a much sterner test in League Two promotion hopefuls Carlisle. The Cumbrians impressively beat Plymouth in the previous round and should start as strong favourites here despite another long journey south. Welling play in the division below, sitting just above the relegation places. They are winless in six in the league and will have to give the performance of their lives to make it through. This is also on Sunday, so another good chance to groundhop or see two games in a weekend. (FA Cup Second Round, Sunday 6 December, 2pm. Ticket info)

8. Wingate & Finchley v Billericay Town - despite their reputedly tiny budget and small fanbase, Wingate have, aside from one bad season, competed well in the Isthmian Premier since promotion in 2011. Things are going particularly well this time round with the club lying third as we move into December. In fact if they win their game in hand on leaders Dulwich, they'd even draw level with them. On Saturday they welcome Essex club Billericay who also find themselves in the top eight of what is a very congested table. Wingate aren't one of the division's most glamorous clubs and, like many others, don't get perhaps as much coverage as they should so if you don't fancy any of the above then consider this, especially if you're in north London. (Isthmian League Premier Division, Saturday 5 December, 3pm. Ticket info)

9. AFC Hornchurch v Bury Town - unfazed by their slightly surprising relegation last season, the Urchins' push for an immediate return to the top division of the Isthmian League is progressing well. With only three defeats from 21 games and with matches in hand on leaders Cray Wanderers which could put them top, things are looking rosy. This weekend they take on Bury Town who also fell into the eighth tier at the end of last season, again quite surprisingly. They too are doing well and are fifth, also with games in hand on the teams above them. It should be close. (Isthmian League Division 1 North, Saturday 5 December, 3pm. Ticket info)

10. Tooting & Mitcham United v Folkestone Invicta - sadly this recommendation is more about seeing the visitors than our local side. The Kent club are currently top dogs in the Isthmian League Division 1 South - four points clear, with a game in hand. They are averaging more than two goals a game and have the meanest defence in the division. Our beloved Terrors are having a much more unspectacular season, currently down in 18th but well ahead of the real strugglers. They also got a very creditable draw against second-placed Worthing in Saturday so can't be written off. It's fair to say the south London club have seen much better days but they are well worth a visit with one of the best non-league grounds in the capital and fans who will make you feel welcome. It's also only a short walk from Mitcham tram stop so it's pretty easy to get to too. (Isthmian League Division 1 South, Saturday 5 December, 3pm. Ticket info)

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.

TLFG: 23-29 November 2015

Hello there, hope you're well and welcome to the 191st edition of TLFG.

After a few weeks without a game, I enjoyed a nice bit of Friday night football over in Mile End with Dutch football writer Paul Baaijens (author of 'Match Days') who was over for one his regular London football weekends.

Paul, despite living in a great football nation, spends more time watching club football in England and Germany than he does at home because he finds the culture and history of the game in the respective countries a lot more engaging.

In my dealings with him, I've attempted to open his eyes to our non-league culture as well as helping him sate his passion for things at a more professional level.

So far I'd taken him to a cracking game between Dulwich Hamlet and Maidstone United and even got him the chance to take part in a training session with Bedfont & Feltham - he's quite useful with a ball too, being Dutch and all.

The Clapton Ultras were out in force in Mile End on Friday night

So on Friday, having been in town for little more than a couple of hours, I took him to the East End derby between Tower Hamlets and Clapton.

Regular readers may know that I've developed a soft spot for both over the last five years with the former (previously known as Bethnal Green United) being founded by a friend of a friend and the latter being one of the most historic clubs in London playing at the rundown but, in my eyes, magical Old Spotted Dog.

It's been a year or two since I'd watched the hosts but I last saw Clapton about six weeks ago on Non-League Day when they played out a 3-3 draw with local rivals Ilford in front of a huge crowd of nearly 800.

I'd never seen the Tons or their Ultras in action on the road so thought this could be a good chance to do so in a game looked forward to by both sets of fans.

The away supporters didn't disappoint, singing before, during and after. They were also very sporting, congratulating Tower Hamlets on their very lucky 1-0 win despite being battered for most of it. The official attendance of 382 was highly impressive for a ninth-tier game - the average crowd in the Essex Senior League is around 40-50.

Some have questioned how genuine the Ultras' support is or how long it will last but while it does, clubs and fans in this division should make the most of it. Tower Hamlets got their biggest payday for a while and were openly appreciative of the visitors' following who were not only sporting but also helped tidy the ground after the game - not the most joyous task at 10pm on a very chilly Friday night.

If you are interested in sampling the Clapton experience, the Forest Gate club have two home games this week against local rivals Barking on Tuesday and then FC Romania on Saturday - a game which could easily draw a 500+ crowd if the weather holds up.

Lastly from me, did you see that bizarre own goal in the Romford v Thurrock groundshare derby on Tuesday? It's gone viral over the last few days with over one million views. Here it is if you missed it - Thurrock's Kamarl Duncan is the unlucky player.

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 on the following match maps. If you've never used them 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 drop down menu at the top of the map page to make sure you get all the information. Games are listed from top to bottom in date order so Monday's games (yellow pin) will appear first and Sunday's (white pin) last. Games are also ranked in terms of status so the higher the division, the higher up the list they will appear on each day.

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).

MIDWEEK MATCH MAP
Yellow pin - Monday fixtures
Green pin - Tuesday fixtures
Red pin - Wednesday fixtures

WEEKEND MATCH MAP

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. Arsenal v Dinamo Zagreb - the Gunners could well have been sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League going into this game but suffered an unexpected 2-1 defeat at West Brom on Saturday, handing the honour instead to Leicester who continue to confound the pundits. The north London club would also normally expect a game like this to decide whether they finished top or second in their Champions League group but not this time. Their performance in Europe's top club competition has been very poor this season and they have to win just to keep a remote sniff of second alive. A draw between Bayern Munich and Olympiakos, the leading pair, in the other game will knock them out whatever happens at the Emirates. Let's also not forget that Dinamo are in a similar position to Arsenal too so still have something to play for themselves. (Champions League, Tuesday 24 November, 745pm. Ticket info)

2. Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea - the last month has been a really good one for Spurs with three wins and a draw in the Premier League and a victory over Anderlecht in Europe. Their latest outing on Sunday afternoon saw a comprehensive 4-1 thrashing of London rivals West Ham who had been having a pretty decent season themselves up until that point. If it wasn't for the inconvenience of an almost 5,000 mile round trip to Azerbaijan for a Europa League game on Thursday, Tottenham would probably be brimming with confidence ahead of another derby against this troubled Blues side. Chelsea did manage to finally get a win on Saturday but only by a goal to nil against Norwich but they too have a lengthy journey to Israel to contend with but it's two days earlier and will give them more recovery time. Given they are at home, you've got to fancy Tottenham in this one. (Premier League, Sunday 29 November, 12pm. Ticket info)

3. Queens Park Rangers v Leeds United - none of the games in the Championship are particularly enticing but this one should be worth a watch as a large crowd is expected. Managerless QPR suffered a heartbreaking injury time 1-0 defeat up at Middlesbrough on Friday night as their very underwhelming run continued. This game against fellow also rans Leeds should be competitive and represents a chance to see two clubs who really have fallen on hard times since their former Premier League heydays. Rangers were there as recently as last season but Leeds, probably the biggest club in the Football League, were regular title contenders and even made the Champions League semi-finals during the successful reign of David O'Leary (1998-2002). Large debts contributed greatly to them leaving the top flight in 2004 and plummet all the way down to League One in quick time. Now back in the Championship and with an eccentric Italian owner, things are still far from stable but with the combative Steve Evans recently installed in the manager's hotseat things might improve. (Championship, Saturday 28 November, 3pm. Ticket info)

4. Millwall v Bury - over in Bermondsey the Lions are enjoying a decent run right now and are well in with a shout of a League One play-off place which is the least that was expected of them this year. A 4-1 drubbing of Colchester on Saturday extended their unbeaten run to an impressive nine games in all competitions. As a result they are two points off the top six with a game in hand. Bury are in that leading group but have lost three of their last five and could well be there for the taking. (League One, Saturday 28 November, 3pm. Ticket info)

5. Leyton Orient v AFC Wimbledon - only two points and one place separate these London rivals at the time of writing. Midweek games could see them swap places but a position in the top seven could well be up for grabs come kick-off. According to my records, this will be the first time the sides will have met since the Dons reformed so it's a historic moment. In their old guise, Wimbledon never lost against the O's and recorded an 6-2 away win the last time they played back in 1984. That could well change this time but it will be close. (League Two, Saturday 28 November, 3pm. Ticket info)

6. Boreham Wood v Tranmere Rovers - it's David v Goliath time in the National League on Saturday as the Wood, playing at this level for the first time, take on former second-tier side Tranmere who surprisingly fell out of the Football League last season. Probably the high point of Boreham Wood's season so far was winning the reverse fixture at Prenton Park back in August. Generally though it's been a struggle for the Hertfordshire club but they're still above the relegation zone and scrapping for every point. Tranmere have been indifferent at best and, as has been proven, can be beaten. (National League, Saturday 28 November, 3pm. Ticket info)

7. Dartford v Whitehawk - the rounds of the FA Trophy are coming thick and fast now and at this stage we welcome all the clubs from the National League's North and South divisions. Two of them from the South have been drawn against each other in this tie - always disappointing as a fan I think, missing out on playing someone new. The Darts came down from the division above at the start of the season and are simply trying to consolidate. Whitehawk, on the other hand, are a club on the up and are well placed for another promotion having enjoyed two over the last five seasons. Their progress has raised a few eyebrows though as it has been achieved by rich owners bankrolling the Brighton-based club in a way that many see as unsustainable - the fact they average crowds of just 262 would seem to bear that out. Imagine if they get to Wembley? (FA Trophy Third Qualifying Round, Saturday 28 November, 3pm. Ticket info)

8. Dulwich Hamlet v Margate - at Champion Hill we have a tie between two sides who battled for promotion out of the Isthmian Premier last season. Despite their considerable budget, Margate only just made it up via the play-offs, alongside county rivals Maidstone, beating Dulwich at the semi-final stage. You could say that there is some unfinished business for the hosts who are determined not to miss out again and have opened a five-point lead at the top so far this season. Margate have found the going somewhat tougher at the higher level, winning only four of their 18 games thus far. A big and partisan home crowd could make it uncomfortable for them once again. (FA Trophy Third Qualifying Round, Saturday 28 November, 3pm. Ticket info)

9. Hampton & Richmond Borough v Maidstone United - H&R are also among the promotion contenders in the Isthmian Premier this season and they welcome the aforementioned Stones for another mouthwatering contest. The hosts climbed up to second a few weeks ago but draws rather than defeats have seen them slip back a little. Having already taken four points off Dulwich this season and scoring five goals in the process they are good enough to beat anyone in the division on their day. Maidstone, unlike Margate, have enjoyed a much smoother transition to life in the sixth tier climbing to second while attracting the highest attendances in the division. Such support, a state of the art stadium and a fine team mean they're more than capable of going up and competing again so they might well regard this cup as an unwanted distraction. (FA Trophy Third Qualifying Round, Saturday 28 November, 3pm. Club info)

10. Kingstonian v Truro City - after overcoming Dorchester in Monday's replay, the K's have drawn another West Country side. On paper, the Cornish team present a sterner test as they too are promotion contenders in the National League South. Kingstonian are no mugs though and climbed up to fourth in the Isthmian Premier with a 2-1 win at Lewes on Saturday. However, with only one defeat in 13 games in all competitions, the Tinners should prove to be a tough nut to crack. Whatever happens, I should imagine the K's players and fans won't want a draw as a midweek replay and 500-mile round trip would be a bit of pain. (FA Trophy Third Qualifying Round, Saturday 28 November, 3pm. Ticket info)

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.

TLFG: 16-22 November 2015

With the international break taking place at the moment, it's been a pretty quiet week in London on the footballing front.

Fulham sacked boss Kit Symons last Sunday, meaning QPR and the Cottagers are both currently looking for new managers. According to the bookies, former Leicester City gaffer Nigel Pearson seems to be the leading candidate for both clubs although I'm sure most R's fans would be more than happy to give caretaker Neil Warnock another go after his previous success at the club.

The biggest match this week has to be the international friendly between England and France at Wembley. 

Prior to the terrible events in Paris on Friday night, I would probably have paid little attention to this as international friendlies for the Three Lions have become a pretty drab affair even when the opponents are one of their biggest rivals.

It will be interesting to see how the crowd are affected both in terms of turnout and how and what they sing. Will England take it easy on their opponents? Will France be subdued or will both sides give it a really good go?

I've got a few days off this week and had flirted with the idea of going but decided early last week to go and visit family in Somerset instead. To be honest, I'm glad I don't have a ticket as I think the atmosphere could be a bit uncomfortable but here's hoping I'm wrong.

Interestingly there is also a fans' match between England and France at Bedfont & Feltham on Monday evening at 745pm with admission free to all.

I do, however, plan to take in a bit more Essex Senior League action on Friday night when I take Paul Baaijens, the Dutch author of 'Match Days', to the East End derby between Tower Hamlets and Clapton at Mile End Stadium. Over the last five years I've developed a bit of a soft spot for both sides but have never seen them play each other - it will also be interesting to see what the Ultras get up to at an away match. Maybe see you there.

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 on the following match maps. If you've never used them 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 drop down menu at the top of the map page to make sure you get all the information. Games are listed from top to bottom in date order so Monday's games (yellow pin) will appear first and Sunday's (white pin) last. Games are also ranked in terms of status so the higher the division, the higher up the list they will appear on each day.

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).

MIDWEEK MATCH MAP
Yellow pin - Monday fixtures
Green pin - Tuesday fixtures
Red pin - Wednesday fixtures
Purple pin - Thursday fixtures
Black pin - Friday fixtures

WEEKEND MATCH MAP

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. England v France - this was looking like being another fairly dull Wembley friendly, albeit between two of the world's big teams, until the terrible events of Friday night in Paris. Initial statements gave the impression that this match would be cancelled but after discussions with all the relevant authorities it is going ahead. Although nothing is at stake, it will be a very poignant occasion and it will be interesting to observe the mood of the crowd. Will people be put off from going? Will more tickets get sold? At the moment, there are still some available. From a footballing point of view, England could do with a win. Not only did they lose comfortably to Spain on Friday, they haven't beaten France since 1997 so are well overdue a victory. (International friendly, Tuesday 17 November, 8pm. Ticket info)

2. Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United - with the international break out the way, the Premier League returns at the weekend. On Sunday we have this derby between two clubs looking to force their way into the Champions League places. In recent years Spurs have managed to crack the top-four cartel but West Ham haven't got anywhere near. This season, however, they're both right up there in fifth and sixth just three points behind the elite group at the top. Historically Tottenham have the better record but in recent years wins have been fairly evenly distributed between the two. The fan rivalry is also pretty intense with little love lost on either side. (Premier League, Sunday 22 November, 4pm. Ticket info)

3. Watford v Manchester United - of the teams promoted from the Championship last season, runners-up Watford are faring the best. Sitting comfortably in midtable above much bigger clubs like Aston Villa, Chelsea and Newcastle, things couldn't be going much better. On Saturday they welcome the Red Devils to Vicarage Road for the first time in nine years and unsurprisingly it's a sell out. Although this is far from the strongest Man Utd side to have graced a pitch over the last few years, Louis van Gaal's charges are still more than good enough to win here. The Hornets are also on a nine-game losing streak against the Mancunian club with their last win coming all the way back in 1986 when Graham Taylor was in charge. (Premier League, Saturday 21 November, 1245pm. Ticket info)

4. Chelsea v Norwich City - normally this game wouldn't get a listing as the outcome would be a foregone conclusion (Chelsea have won five of the last six meetings at Stamford Bridge, scoring an average of almost four goals a game) but this year anything could happen. On paper, the Blues should win but somehow in late November they find themselves a point and a place below last season's Championship play-off final winners. In fact if results go against them, they could mathematically end the day in the bottom three which would surely be terminal for Jose Mourinho's reign as manager. (Premier League, Saturday 21 November, 3pm. Ticket info)

5. AFC Wimbledon v Wycombe Wanderers - nothing is taking my fancy in the Championship or League One this week so next we have what I would class as a bit of derby between two sides with promotion ambitions in League Two. The Dons have been all about consolidation since promotion from the Conference in 2011 but this year they are well placed for a crack at the top seven being just a point adrift in what is a very congested table. Wycombe suffered the heartbreak of a play-off final penalty shoot-out defeat last season so will hope to go one better this time. They are on level points with the hosts so we should see a pretty even game. The clubs are also managed by Neal Ardley and Gareth Ainsworth who were both part of the Wimbledon squad which last competed in the Premier League back in 2000. (League Two, Saturday 21 November, 3pm. Ticket info)

6. Boreham Wood v Northwich Victoria - the rest of this week's Top 10 will be dedicated to FA competitions as we have games in all three of their main cups - firstly we have this FA Cup replay. The Wood should start this game as overwhelming favourites and it's a little embarrassing that they need a replay at all given they play three divisions above their opponents but it is what it is and that's the beauty of the FA Cup. Northwich, one of the founding members of what is now the National League and former FA Trophy winners, have fallen on hard times over the last few years but currently top the Northern Premier League Division 1 North so have momentum and shouldn't be underestimated. (FA Cup First Round Replay, Monday 16 November, 745pm. Ticket info)

7. Kingstonian v Dorchester Town - in south-west London the same night we have an FA Trophy replay to look forward to. These two seventh-tier clubs produced an entertaining 2-2 draw in the original tie on Saturday so hopefully we'll get a few goals here too. The sides play in the top divisions of the parallel Isthmian and Southern Leagues and are well matched with very similar records so far this season. For both, this competition represents a much more realistic chance of getting to a Wembley final although it would still be a hell of an achievement. The K's, however, do have a glorious history in the competition having enjoyed back-to-back wins in 1999 and 2000. (FA Trophy Second Qualifying Round Replay, Monday 16 November, 745pm. Ticket info)

8. Sutton Common Rovers v Beckenham Town - in the FA Vase we've reached the Second Round which means of the 572 teams who entered, we're down to 128 already. At Gander Green Lane we've got an all south-London affair to enjoy on Friday night. SCR moved back to their home borough at the start of the season to groundshare with the much more famous Sutton United following the laying of their new 3G pitch over the summer. Results in the Combined Counties League have been a little underwhelming so far but they have made progress in the Vase with wins over former landlords Cobham and also Worthing United. Beckenham, from the parallel Southern Counties East League, are doing rather better in the league and could even challenge for the title if they win their games in hand. On paper - away win. (FA Vase Second Round, Friday 20 November, 745pm. Ticket info)

9. Colliers Wood United v Loxwood - not a million miles to the north the following day, CWU take on Sussex club Loxwood from the Southern Combination. As with the Kingstonian game, the sides from parallel leagues have quite similar records although the visitors' is a bit better. Both have netted over 40 goals this season so hopefully there'll be plenty at the Wibbandune on Saturday. (FA Vase Second Round, Saturday 21 November, 3pm. Ticket info)

10. Sporting Bengal United v Sleaford Town - if you're in the East End on Saturday, get yourself over to the Mile End Stadium to see if SBU can make it to the last 64. The Vase is for clubs in the ninth and 10th tiers of the English game meaning these two ninth-tier sides have a reasonable chance of getting through another round or two yet. Sleaford from the United Counties League will start as favourites but SBU have been impressive in the Vase so far, scoring 15 goals in their four previous games. (FA Vase Second Round, Saturday 21 November, 3pm. Club info)

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.

TLFG: 9-15 November 2015

Hello there and welcome to the latest edition of TLFG.

How has your week been?

It's been another important one in the world of London football.

The big match of the week between Arsenal and Spurs produced a highly entertaining 1-1 draw on Sunday which kept the Gunners tied on points at the top of the Premier League with Manchester City. The point was also enough for Tottenham to move above West Ham, who drew with Everton, into fifth as the two north London clubs become the capital's top-ranked teams.

Chelsea's woes continued with a 1-0 defeat at Stoke to leave them down in 16th just three points above the relegation zone.

Elsewhere, Crystal Palace ended their three-game winless streak with a superb 2-1 win at Liverpool to stay firmly in the hunt for a place in the top six whilst Watford lost 2-1 at high-flying surprise package Leicester.

The main story in the Championship this week was manager Chris Ramsey being 'relieved of first-team duties' by QPR. He was by no means a disaster in the job but the board want at least a top-six finish and that appears to be slipping away. Former boss Neil Warnock, who brought the Championship title to Loftus Road in 2010/11, has replaced him on at least a temporary basis and began with a 0-0 draw against Preston.

My most recent #instabalti contribution - Clapton v Ilford

All our other local Football League clubs and a few non-league ones were involved in the first round of the FA Cup this weekend.

Of the ones that progressed to the second round, Barnet were the only ones to cause an upset as they beat former Premier League side Blackpool at The Hive.  

Leyton Orient, Millwall and Welling United all won through too while Dagenham & Redbridge and Boreham Wood earned replays so will take their places in Monday night's draw as well.

This week sees another international break so if you were hoping to see one of London's top clubs then I'm afraid you're out of luck. There are a couple of U21 games at some of the clubs' main stadiums that might interest you instead but mainly the focus shifts onto our local non-league teams again.

There are some big games in the National League, some FA Trophy ties, several derbies and lots of midweek county cup action.

Lastly if you're an Instagram user, our friends at 'The Chicken Balti Chronicles' would love to see your football photos from wherever you are in the world. Whether you're at the Old Spotted Dog, the Olympiastadion or Ordos Stadium they want your pictures - just tag them #instabalti and they'll be much appreciated. You can also add them to their Facebook page too.

Have a great week.

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 on the following match maps. If you've never used them 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 drop down menu at the top of the map page to make sure you get all the information. Games are listed from top to bottom in date order so Monday's games (yellow pin) will appear first and Sunday's (white pin) last. Games are also ranked in terms of status so the higher the division, the higher up the list they will appear on each day.

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).

MIDWEEK MATCH MAP
Yellow pin - Monday fixtures
Green pin - Tuesday fixtures
Red pin - Wednesday fixtures
Black pin - Friday fixtures

WEEKEND MATCH MAP

Blue pin - Saturday 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. Dagenham & Redbridge v Oxford United - as a result of this weekend's international break, the top ranked local team in action over the next seven days are the Daggers. Of 'the 92' Football League clubs they are currently bottom of the pile with only one league win all season. On Wednesday they welcome Oxford for this Johnstone's Paint Trophy tie and will start very much as second favourites to a side who are challenging for the divisional title. Tickets start at just £10 for adults. (Johnstone's Paint Trophy Area Quarter-Finals, Wednesday 11 November, 745pm. Ticket info)

2. Bromley v Boreham Wood - last season these two fought out a thrilling battle for the Conference South title with Bromley eventually coming out as champions. Undeterred, The Wood won the ensuing play-offs to join their rivals in the fifth tier. The hosts are a much bigger club than their opponents, averaging nearly 1,000 more through the turnstile for each game (a huge amount at this level) and have unsurprisingly made a much better start to life at this level. After 19 games they sit fourth just five points behind leaders Forest Green while Boreham Wood are doing superbly well to be above former Football League sides Torquay, Southport, Kidderminster and Halifax who currently fill the relegation places. Strangely, this season's reverse fixture at Meadow Park has already been played and produced a thrilling 3-2 win for the Kent outfit. Over the last decade or so, Bromley have much the better record between the two and should be confident of adding another win. (National League, Tuesday 10 November, 745pm. Ticket info)

3. Welling United v Forest Green Rovers - a few miles to the north east the same evening, Bromley's local rivals Welling will be entertaining the aforementioned Forest Green. The Gloucestershire club provide daunting opposition for the struggling Wings as not only are they top of the league, they beat League Two's AFC Wimbledon 2-1 on their own pitch in the FA Cup on Saturday. Welling also made progress in the cup but only at the expense of Barwell who play two levels below them - a draw will therefore be a fine achievement. (National League, Tuesday 10 November, 745pm. Ticket info)

4. Dartford v Maidstone United - there's a mouthwatering Kent derby to look forward to at Princes Park on Saturday in the National League South. The Darts, alongside Welling, were the big boys of the non-league scene on the western side of the county over the last couple of years but got relegated last season and now look like falling behind a resurgent Maidstone who have been climbing steadily up the divisions in recent seasons. Having won six on the bounce in the league and narrowly lost to League Two strugglers Yeovil Town in the FA Cup on Sunday, the Stones are well on course for at least a play-off place. The hosts, however, are undergoing a season of consolidation and sit comfortably enough in midtable having gone on a nice little run which has seen them take seven points from three games. Both sides are well supported so I'd expect a turn out of 1,500-2,000. (National League South, Saturday 14 November, 3pm. Ticket info)

5. Harrow Borough v Wealdstone - another, sadly more low-key, derby is taking place at Earlsmead on Tuesday. Following the Stones' promotion to the National League South, these old rivals only now get the chance to meet in cup competitions and this week the two have been paired in the Middlesex Senior Cup of which Harrow are the current holders. Boro are the smaller club and very much the underdogs but are doing better than they have for several seasons so will hopefully give it a good go (not that I'm biased - much). Wealdstone looked vulnerable earlier in the season but have now gone seven league games without defeat and gave League One side Colchester United a tough first half in the FA Cup on Saturday before losing 6-2. The fact this is only a county cup tie could see either or both clubs rest some players but the fans will still want those bragging rights regardless. (Middlesex Senior Cup First Round, Tuesday 10 November, 745pm. Club info)

6. Dulwich Hamlet v VCD Athletic - after comfortably seeing off Harrow last weekend, Dulwich next take on fellow south-east Londoners VCD in next round of the FA Trophy. Both sides currently compete in the Isthmian League Premier Division but the chasm between the two is vast with the hosts top and backed by over 1,000 fans a game and the visitors bottom with a tenth of the support. They last met in the league just over a month ago with the Hamlet enjoying a resounding 5-2 win - it's hard to see anything much too different happening here. (FA Trophy Second Qualifying Round, Saturday 14 November, 3pm. Ticket info)

7. Molesey v Harlow Town - there's an interesting inter-division tie elsewhere in the draw which plays off promotion contenders from the Isthmian League's Division 1 South and North respectively. The Moles are new to this level having won the Combined Counties League title last season and are already up to second after making a dream start. Harlow, however, are down in 12th in their division but an extended FA Cup run means they have a whopping seven games in hand on leaders Cray Wanderers and four or five on most of the teams immediately above them. Having come close to promotion last year and with a relatively strong support base, they should provide tough opposition for anyone at this level. (FA Trophy Second Qualifying Round, Saturday 14 November, 3pm. Ticket info)

8. Egham Town v Beaconsfield SYCOB - for me, the brilliantly nicknamed Sarnies have been one of the surprise packages of the season so far. Following promotion from the Combined Counties League in 2013, Egham have held their own in Southern League Division 1 Central but have never finished higher than 11th. This time they've come flying out of the blocks to establish themselves as title contenders. Although currently down to second, they have a game in hand on leaders Chalfont St Peter so are well in the hunt for honours alongside a string of other clubs including visitors Beaconsfield who are just a point behind down in sixth. In fact, only three points separate the top 10 so this looks like being a very exciting title race indeed. (Southern League Division 1 Central, Saturday 14 November, 3pm. Club info)

9. Clapton v Newham - our final derby of the week takes place at London's oldest ground - the Old Spotted Dog - over in Forest Gate in east London. Regular readers will know I paid the Tons a visit on Non-League Day just over four weeks ago (time flies) when an impressive crowd of nearly 800 turned up for another derby against Ilford. For one reason or another, this will be their first home league match since so it will be interesting to see how many attend this one. Cross-borough rivals Newham, who used to groundshare with Clapton, are having to travel all the way to the Essex port town of Tilbury to fulfil their home fixtures at the moment - something no doubt contributing to their poor record this season. (Essex Senior League, Saturday 14 November, 3pm. Club info)

10. Worcester Park v Bedfont & Feltham - looking for a fix of tenth-tier football? Then this could be the match for you. Worcester Park have been one of the most successful sides in the Combined Counties League Division One since I began writing this blog back in 2011 but they never get promoted because their ground is nowhere near good enough. With no floodlights or perimeter fencing, watching a game here is very much akin to attending a match at your local park (albeit within a private sports club). If that hasn't put you off, they are once again top of the league and entertain B&F who are currently fourth but with four games in hand so it should be a good contest. It is also very easy to get to by public transport with the pitch overlooked by the southbound platform of Worcester Park station around 25 minutes ride from Waterloo in central London. Please also note the early kick-off time because of the aforementioned lack of floodlights. (Combined Counties League Division One, Saturday 14 November, 2pm. Club info)

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.

TLFG: 2-8 November 2015

I've been a bit pushed for time again this week having spent a hectic couple of days split between the Kent seaside resorts of Broadstairs and Margate and work back in London.

I enjoyed a good parkrun along the seafront in Margate on Saturday morning but sadly all the local football teams were away this weekend so had to content myself with a walk by the beach at Broadstairs instead in the afternoon - very nice too especially given the unseasonally fine weather.

Once again we have another interesting week to look forward to with nearly 100 games taking place. The Champions League makes its return with the spotlight falling once again on the almost unbelievable struggles of Chelsea.

In the Premier League we've got the North London derby between Arsenal and Spurs and for many, the highlight will be the FA Cup First Round where the surviving non-league teams get to take on the pros from League One and League Two.

Happy football watching people.

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 on the following match maps. If you've never used them 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 drop down menu at the top of the map page to make sure you get all the information. Games are listed from top to bottom in date order so Monday's games (yellow pin) will appear first and Sunday's (white pin) last. Games are also ranked in terms of status so the higher the division, the higher up the list they will appear on each day.

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).

MIDWEEK MATCH MAP
Yellow pin - Monday fixtures
Green pin - Tuesday fixtures
Red pin - Wednesday fixtures
Purple pin - Thursday fixtures
Black pin - Friday fixtures

WEEKEND MATCH MAP

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. Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur - it's North London derby time again and we have to wait right until the end of the week to enjoy it. With the Gunners joint top and Spurs nestled nicely in sixth, both will be pretty happy with their respective starts to the season. It's only about six weeks since the sides last met in the League Cup where Arsenal took the honours in a 2-1 win at White Hart Lane. Given they have home advantage, are the stronger side on paper and unbeaten in their last five meetings at the Emirates Stadium, the hosts must start as strong favourites. (Premier League, Sunday 8 November, 4pm. Ticket info)

2. Chelsea v Dynamo Kiev - before that we have what would normally be a fairly unremarkable looking Champions League game. In the past, sides like Dynamo could be expected to turn up at Stamford Bridge, get beaten with relative ease, go home again and no-one would bat an eyelid. Now the eyes of many in the football world will be firmly focused on this fixture as the crisis surrounding the Blues and manager Jose Mourinho lurches on. Having seen his side knocked out of the League Cup by Stoke and humiliated at home by Liverpool in the league, it's been a disastrous week for the Portuguese. Defeat in this one too would see Chelsea struggle to get out of their group - a result which would surely seal even the most special individual's fate. (Champions League, Wednesday 4 November, 745pm. Ticket info)

3. West Ham United v Everton - the Hammers after a long successful run, finally saw one of their famous bubbles burst on Saturday. The ever improving Watford recorded a fine 2-0 win to knock the east Londoners down to fifth. Next up they welcome Everton whose recent inconsistent form seemed to vanish this week following a cup win over Norwich and a 6-2 drubbing of Sunderland in Sunday's league match. It's also fair to say the Toffees have become a bit of a bogey team for the Boleyn Ground club who haven't beaten their Scouse rivals in 17 attempts. (Premier League, Saturday 7 November, 3pm. Ticket info)

4. Brentford v Hull City - after their win in the derby against QPR on Friday, the Bees are starting to make some decent strides up the Championship table. That result saw them leapfrog their local rivals into 11th to put themselves just four points away from the play-off places. On Tuesday they welcome high-flying Hull City who are making good progress in their efforts to bounce straight back up after their relegation last season. The two haven't met for over 10 years but last time it was Brentford who came out on top. (Championship, Tuesday 3 November, 745pm. Ticket info)

5. Millwall v AFC Fylde - the rest of this week's Top 10 will be dedicated to the FA Cup. With League One and Two clubs now joining the non-league sides who have made it this far, the Lions have landed a home tie with National League North side Fylde. Although playing three divisions below their hosts, the Lancashire outfit are a club on the up. Having enjoyed some significant investment, they've made good progress in recent seasons and are top of their current division. Even so, Millwall are the pro team, are on a good run and should have too much for them. Complacency, however, will be the watchword. (FA Cup First Round, Saturday 7 November, 3pm. Ticket info)

6. Barnet v Blackpool - there's a fair chance of an upset here even though Barnet play a division below the Seasiders. The Bees aren't even doing that well in League Two but have improved of late and could push Blackpool hard. The former Premier League side have had a number of well-documented problems over the last few years and they could well suffer another relegation this season. It could be close. (FA Cup First Round, Saturday 7 November, 3pm. Ticket info)

7. Dagenham & Redbridge v Morecambe - there's an all-League Two tie at Victoria Road to look forward to on Saturday. Following defeat to Luton on Sunday, the Daggers were left rooted to the bottom as their miserable season continued. A win against play-off chasing Morecambe could be all they need to get their campaign back on track. Here's hoping they get it. (FA Cup First Round, Saturday 7 November, 3pm. Ticket info)

8. AFC Wimbledon v Forest Green Rovers - former non-league side AFC Wimbledon will have to be on their game as they take on National League leaders FGR. The Gloucestershire club are well backed and have been knocking on the door of League Two for a couple of years now so should be well up for this. The Dons, however, have won three on the bounce so a controlled and focused performance should see them over the line. (FA Cup First Round, Saturday 7 November, 3pm. Ticket info)

9. Leyton Orient v Staines Town - Isthmian League side Staines have had to successfully negotiate four rounds to get this far and their reward is a trip to the League Two O's which they must be happy with. In regional terms, it's a derby of sorts although I doubt the sides have ever played before. Dogged determination will be a must for the Swans to stand any chance but with only two wins in 10 league games, the hosts might be a little nervous. (FA Cup First Round, Saturday 7 November, 3pm. Ticket info)

10. Wealdstone v Colchester United - from a personal point of view, if I was available, this would be the match I'd go to. Having grown up on Wealdstone's side of town, I know what a big deal this is for all concerned with the Ruislip-based club. The best team in non-league football 30 years ago, the Stones have had a turbulent time in the intervening years with several grounds and relegations. The last few years have seen the good times return with promotion to what is now the National League South and a run to the FA Trophy semi-finals. This game against League One also-rans Colchester is huge and winnable. The home fans are a passionate bunch and will surely be out in force for one of their biggest games in years. (FA Cup First Round, Saturday 7 November, 3pm. Ticket info)

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.