This weekend has been a bittersweet one.
QPR gave their chances of staying up a huge boost by beating Preston North End 1-0 on Saturday while a few miles to the north-west, Harrow Borough conceded a 97th-minute goal to lose 2-1 to Tiverton Town and get relegated.
Although I can remember them finishing in the drop zone twice during my 36 years of supporting them, they've always received a reprieve after another side has folded or taken voluntary relegation and they've been the next in line.
This time that's not even to close to happening as they're third line and could miss the cut by up to 10 points if things go badly on the final day.
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| There's a Women's Champions League semi-final at Stamford Bridge on Saturday - tickets |
It was always going to be tough with a tiny budget and inexperienced manager but I'm proud of the players and staff who gave it a really good go and beat a number of top teams during the campaign.
Several games were decided by very late goals and I'd be interested to see how many extra points Harrow would have had if it were not for those.
So after decades of playing at the same level, it will be interesting to play some different teams, visit some different grounds and hopefully be far more competitive.
With a bit of luck they'll end up in the Isthmian South Central which will massively reduce their travel costs and could see an exciting trip overseas to play Guernsey, if they stay in the same division, as well as a number of local derbies.
You've got to look for the positives I guess.
One other thing for all groundhoppers to look forward to next season will be Cray Wanderers' move to their new home at Flamingo Park and I'd like to thank TLFG reader Martin B who took the time to email me with a full update on everything going on at London's oldest club.
I've got three days off in the coming week so I hope to see at least one game, not sure what yet but Actonians' reserve game on Sunday is the frontrunner although the National League play-offs look very tempting too.
If I was off on Saturday then I'd probably be prepared to hold my nose and head to Stamford Bridge for the second leg of Chelsea Women's Champions League semi-final against Barcelona.
Somehow the Blues won the first leg 1-0 in Catalonia on Saturday so this match has a lot more riding on it than I think many pundits predicted.
The sides are packed with players from the England and Spain teams which contested the World Cup Final in August so it should be well worth a watch - tickets.
That's it from me, enjoy your week.
THE WEEK AHEAD
This week we've got matches in the Premier League, EFL, National League play-offs, Women's Champions League, Women's Super League and all the other non-league and women's competitions which our local clubs compete in.
As always, please make sure you check with clubs before you travel just in case a game has been called off or the venue or kick-off time has changed - this is highly possible for some of the lower non-league clubs. 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 (orange 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.
MIDWEEK MATCH MAP
Monday fixtures - yellow pin
Tuesday fixtures - green pin
Wednesday fixtures - turquoise pin
Thursday fixtures - purple pin
Friday fixtures - black pin
WEEKEND MATCH MAP
Saturday fixtures - blue pin
Saturday fixtures - blue pin
Sunday fixtures - orange pin
TLFG DAILY DIGEST
In the following section, I list what are in my opinion the most notable games of the week and give some brief reasons for my choice. Check the maps above for kick-off times, ticket info and directions.
Monday 22 April
Professional Development League
Charlton Athletic v Sheffield United @2pm - the week begins with this U21 match at The Valley. It looks like being a tough game for the Addicks as the Blades will go top of Group North with a win here. Tickets are £3
125th Anniversary Match
Barkingside v Dagenham & Redbridge @745pm - both sides have now completed their seasons so are totally free to enjoy this commemoration of Barkingside's foundation way back in Victorian times. The Daggers play five divisions above the side so it's a prestigious and fitting way to celebrate such an occasion. Tickets are £5 on the gate and there will be a special programme available
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Tuesday 23 April
Premier League
Arsenal v Chelsea @8pm - with Manchester City in FA Cup action, the Gunners returned to the top of the Premier League with a 2-0 win at Wolves on Saturday night. Given that City and Liverpool both have games in hand, Mikel Arteta's side can't afford to lose any more. The Blues are gradually improving and only narrowly lost to City in that cup semi-final and they'd love nothing more than to ruin Arsenal's season. Tickets are only available to members but hospitality packages are available from £495
Professional Development League
The top two London clubs in this U21 competition both have games on Tuesday. Millwall host Barnsley at The Den at 2pm whilst QPR entertain Birmingham City at Hanwell Town at 7pm. Tickets are £5Surrey Senior Cup Semi-Final
Metropolitan Police v Chertsey Town @745pm - the Met have had a disappointing season but they have avoided relegation. Winning this competition would put a very fine gloss on it and help them forget their struggles. Sadly they're up against the team that won the division they're in and they'll no doubt be looking to do a double and end the campaign on an even greater high. Tickets will be available on the gate
CCL Premier North
North Greenford United v Rayners Lane @745pm - thanks to their fantastic run in the FA Vase and lots of bad weather, NGU have to play five games in eight days! The first is this derby against second placed Rayners Lane. If the hosts win, they'll keep themselves in the play-off race and end the visitors' title hopes so there's lots at stake for both. Tickets will be available on the gate
Hilltop v Flackwell Heath @745pm - whatever happens at Berkeley Fields, if the Heathens win at Hilltop then the title will be theirs with a game to spare. Hilltop need the points themselves to make sure of avoiding relegation. This is being played at Uxbridge and tickets will be available on the gate
CCL Premier South
AFC Croydon Athletic v Farnham Town @745pm - it's a huge night for the Rams at the Mayfield Stadium. Not only do they welcome title winners Farnham but if they beat them they'll secure a play-off spot themselves. Tickets will be available on the gate
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Wednesday 24 April
Premier League
Crystal Palace v Newcastle United @8pm - at the time of writing, the Eagles sit eight points above the relegation zone and should be fine. In fact, by the time this kicks-off, they could be 11 points clear and pretty much home and dry. The Magpies, on the other hand, are back in the top six and building a bit of momentum. Ten points behind, they're very unlikely to catch fifth-placed Spurs but there are enough games left to do it if they keep winning. Tickets are only available to members but hospitality packages are available from £330
CCL Premier South
Colliers Wood United v Tadley Calleva @730pm - with three games to go, CWU find themselves bottom of the table but only three points adrift of safety. The visitors will claim a play-off spot if they win. All in all, it's a big night at Wibbandune. Tickets will be available on the gate
Essex Senior League
Woodford Town v Romford @745pm - with Tilbury winning the title on Saturday, it's now about who finishes second. Currently the hosts are third, three points behind Romford. The goal difference is tight too, so any win by two goals or more will put Woodford in second with one game to go. Whatever happens, both have already qualified for the play-offs but the higher you finish, the better. Tickets will be available on the gate
Middlesex Intermediate Cup Final
Bush Hill Rangers v Larkspur Rovers @745pm - contested primarily by 11th-tier clubs, this county cup final is being played at Hendon. BHR are the current holders and play in the HSCL where they have an outside chance of a top-three finish. Larkspur are midtable in the parallel MCFL so will probably start as underdogs. Tickets
KCFL Invitational Cup Final
Meridian VP v Halls AFC @730pm - being played at SC Thamesmead, 10th-tier Meridian face the newly crowned champions of the 11th-tier KCFL. Given MVP are fighting the drop, it will be really interesting to see how good this HAFC side are. Tickets will be available on the gate
FAWNL Division 1 South East
QPR v London Seaward @8pm - for the R's, it's now all about making sure they pip local rivals Actonians and Ashford Town to a fourth-place finish and a bit of local supremacy. On paper, all three teams should start as favourites in their games on Sunday (21 April) meaning the R's will need to to win this to keep their noses in front. Saying that, midtable is tight and Seaward are more than capable of beating any of the teams immediately above them on their day. Tickets will be available on the gate
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Thursday 25 April
London Senior Cup Semi-Final
Metropolitan Police v Charlton Athletic XI @745pm - it's a big week of cup football for the Met as Imber Court prepares to host it's second semi-final just two days after the last one. Again they face tough opponents in the form of an Addicks development side who are also the reigning champions. Tickets will be available on the gate
SCEFL Premier
Erith Town v Snodland Town @745pm - with eight consecutive wins in all competitions, the Dockers are flying. With their place in the play-offs confirmed, they can still finish second as they have a game in hand on all the teams immediately above them. Snodland are ninth and despite having three games left, they'll still fall short of the top five. Tickets will be available on the gate
CCL Premier North
North Greenford United v Wokingham & Emmbrook @745pm - elsewhere in the ninth tier we have the latest instalment in NGU's mammoth play-off push. Rather than a title challenger, this time they face a side trying to get out of the relegation zone. Tickets will be available on the gate
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Friday 26 April
Championship
QPR v Leeds United @8pm - the R's gave their hopes of survival a huge boost by beating Preston 1-0 on Saturday to move six points clear of the relegation zone with two games to go. However, with Sheffield Wednesday beating Blackburn on Sunday that cushion was reduced to just four points. Leeds beat Middlesbrough on Monday and will head to Loftus Road in second but automatic promotion is still far from secured whilst a win for the R's will see them avoid the drop. It's clear to see why this has been picked for TV. Tickets have now sold out
Premier League 2
If you can't get in at Loftus Road, there are a fine selection of U21 games available instead. Chelsea, Fulham and West Ham United are all at home (at Kingsmeadow and their training grounds respectively) with all three kicking off at 7pm. Admission is never more than £5
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Saturday 27 April
Premier League
West Ham United v Liverpool @1230pm - both sides have had disappointing weeks and are starting to see their respective targets begin to slip away. With only one win in six, the Hammers' hopes of qualifying for Europe have taken a hit. Still eighth and very much in touch, their form has got to change soon otherwise clubs like Brighton and Chelsea who have games in hand will probably edge them out. The Reds saw their title aspirations dented by an unexpected loss to local rivals Everton which could put them five points behind Manchester City if they win their game in hand. With both having so much to play for, it should be a great game. Tickets are available too
Fulham v Crystal Palace @3pm - at the start of any Premier League campaign, a case can be made for either of these smaller clubs to end up getting relegated so it's a testament to all involved that that isn't going to happen. With four games to go, both a safe. Three points apart in 13th and 14th, it's now all about playing for pride and prize money - the higher you finish, the more you win. Last season, each place was worth around £3m (i.e. 20th received around £3m and the winners got £60m) so it's well worth the extra effort. Tickets are only available to members
Women's Champions League Semi-Final Second Leg
Chelsea v Barcelona @530pm - just down the road from Craven Cottage, one of the biggest matches of the women's season is taking place at Stamford Bridge. Since unexpectedly beating the reigning European champions 1-0 in Spain last weekend in the first leg, interest in the tie has rocketed and tickets have sold out. Personally, I was hugely dismissive of their chances going into this tie but with that win under their belts, Emma Hayes' side are probably never going to get a better chance of beating them
Championship
Millwall v Plymouth Argyle @3pm - having won their last three games, the Lions come into this with Championship status already secured. Not so Plymouth who sit two points above the relegation zone with two games to go. The hosts should be relaxed and free to play their game whilst the visitors have everything to play for. Tickets for this have sold out too
Watford v Sunderland @3pm - with both sides coasting along in midtable, nothing rests on this game. The Hornets, along with Huddersfield, have become the division's draw specialists this season, with the amount of times they've shared the spoils currently standing at 17. A lot of games between these two at Vicarage Road often end in draws too, with the last time Watford lost to the Mackems at home coming way back in 1999. Tickets
League Two
AFC Wimbledon v Walsall @3m - the regular season ends in the fourth tier today and sadly for the Dons, they've fallen short in their efforts to earn a play-off place. The Saddlers have a very slim chance of sneaking into the top seven but they'll need to win handsomely here and see Barrow, Crawley and Bradford all lose. Tickets have sold out
National League Play-Off Semi-Final
Barnet v Solihull Moors @530pm - having finished as runners-up to Chesterfield in the regular season, the Bees should be favourites to win the play-offs and join the Spireites in League Two. Having had a bye through the first round of the play-offs, they now face an impressive Solihull side who beat FC Halifax Town 4-2 in that first round on Wednesday. The West Midlands club have also made it to Wembley for the FA Trophy Final so if they win this, they'll be going to the national stadium two weekends in a row! Tickets are available
Isthmian League Premier
Enfield Town v Chatham Town @3pm - it's the last day of the regular season in the seventh tier and these two have already booked their play-off spots. This match will decide who finishes second. The visitors are currently two points ahead but the hosts are in better form. Tickets
Hornchurch v Kingstonian @3pm - with the Urchins having already won the league, this final match will give them the chance to complete a metaphorical lap of honour for their fans as they celebrate their title win - the trophy will also be presented at the end. They've got the chance to show off against the worst side in the division too. Bottom and relegated a while ago, the K's will hope to keep things respectable. Tickets
Wingate & Finchley v Carshalton Athletic @3pm - the one game with some real jeopardy involved sees minnows W&F come into the final game needing a win to hold on to a play-off place they've held for most of the season. No-one expected them to challenge at all so it's been a magnificent campaign from their point of view. However, if they were to lose that top five place right at the death, it would be devastating. The visitors are ninth and out of promotion contention. Tickets will be available on the gate
Isthmian League South Central
Chertsey Town v Badshot Lea @3pm - there's another trophy presentation and promotion party at Alwyns Lane where the Curfews will celebrate winning this eighth-tier division. The Surrey club have had a great year and will end the season on 100 points if they beat midtable opposition here. They drew a crowd of over 1,000 for their last home game so you're strongly advised to buy tickets in advance if you want to go
Metropolitan Police v Ashford Town (Middlesex) @3pm - at the other end of the division, the visitors will be sweating on getting the one point they need to avoid relegation. Even if they don't get it, their better goal difference should just about be enough to keep them up at either Binfield or Chipstead's expense. The Met have had a disappointing season but have already secured their place in the division. Tickets will be available on the gate
CCL Premier North
Bedfont Sports v North Greenford United @3pm - in the ninth tier, most clubs will end their seasons today but not all due to the huge fixture backlog that's built up in recent weeks. Both of these will continue a bit longer whatever happens here. The hosts already know they will finish third and go into the play-offs whilst NGU have two games to go. If the visitors lose this, then they will fall short of joining Bedfont in the post-season so they simply have to win. Tickets will be available on the gate
CCL Premier South
Colliers Wood United v Sheerwater @3pm - the six-pointer of relegation six-pointers takes place at Wibbandune where the bottom two meet in a battle to avoid becoming the one club who gets relegated from this division. The visitors are currently three points ahead but CWU have the better goal difference so it's finely balanced. Tickets will be available on the gate
SCEFL Division 1
AFC Whyteleafe v Greenways @3pm - if you're on the south side of town, then there's another promotion party and trophy lift to be enjoyed at Church Road where the Leafe have won this 10th-tier division. Like Hornchurch, they'll be entertaining the side who will finish bottom. To top it all, the club have made it FREE ENTRY for everyone
Bridon Ropes v Forest Hill Park @3pm - although down in the bottom six, the hosts are safe for another season. Not so their opponents who need to win here and hope results at two other games go their way
Tooting Bec v Meridian VP @3pm - one of those games is this one where MVP need to win to have any chance of staying up. Both their hopes and those of FHP above both rely on K Sports dropping points against Staplehurst Monarchs
HSCL Premier
Belstone v Chipperfield Corinthians @3pm - if 11th-tier football is your thing, then head to the Medburn Ground near Boreham Wood where the hosts will win the title if they take the three points here. Tickets are £4 on the gate
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Sunday 28 April
Premier League
Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal @2pm - when it comes to London football, games don't come much bigger than this. The North London Derby must be the biggest rivalry between two clubs in the capital - it certainly generates the biggest crowds. This time it's Spurs' turn to host and they need to get something out of the match if they want to keep the pressure on Aston Villa in the battle for fourth. As for the Gunners, they simply have to win to keep themselves in the hunt for the title as any dropped points will no doubt be punished by a Manchester City side who are hitting form at the right time. Arsenal are unbeaten in three against Tottenham with the match at the Emirates in September producing an entertaining 2-2 draw. Tickets are not available
National League Play-Off Semi-Final
Bromley v Altrincham @4pm - having seen second placed Barnet routed 4-0 at home by Solihull Moors in the first semi-final on Saturday, the Ravens know they'll have to be at their best to join the West Midlands club in the final at Wembley next Sunday. When it comes to Alty, Bromley have a fine eight-game unbeaten run against them going back to 2020 and this would be a terrible time to see that record come to an end. Tickets have sold out
Women's Super League
Tottenham Hotspur v Brighton & Hove Albion @2pm - if Spurs win here, then a highly unexpected top-four finish will still be a possibility. Robert Vilahamn's FA Cup finalists will start as favourites against the eighth-placed Seagulls who they beat 3-1 in the reverse fixture back in October. The match is being played at Leyton Orient and tickets will be available on the gate
Women's Championship
Crystal Palace v Sunderland @2pm - it's the final day of the season in the second tier and the Eagles need just a point to be absolutely certain of winning the title and claiming a place in the WSL for the first time in their 32-year history. Realistically the trophy is already theirs as their goal difference is so much better than anyone else, so this should be an afternoon where the fans get to celebrate watching their side's fantastic achievement. The Mackems are no longer in contention but they're third, could finish second with a win and will no doubt want to make the afternoon as difficult as possible for the hosts. This match is being played at Selhurst Park and tickets are available - I've got mine
Charlton Athletic v Southampton @2pm - if Palace suffer an absolutely monumental defeat, then a huge win for the second place Addicks could see them pip their south London rivals to the title on goal difference but that's highly unlikely. Finishing as runners-up would still be a fine achievement though and the fourth placed Saints could steal it off them if they win. This match is being played at The Valley and tickets are available
L&SE Women's League Premier Division
Dartford v Dorking Wanderers @3pm - with leaders Dulwich Hamlet almost certain to win at bottom club Crawley AFC, the second placed Darts have to win here against sixth-placed Dorking to keep their very slim title hopes alive. Anything less and they'll be in the fifth tier again next season. With London City Lionesses playing at the main stadium, this will take place on the adjoining 3G pitch at Princes Park
Millwall Lionesses v Fulham @6pm - if you want to see two games on Sunday then the Lions have obligingly moved this match at The Den to the early evening. There's little riding on it as the hosts are in midtable and the Cottagers' title hopes are over. Tickets are £5
GLWFL Premier
Richmond & Kew v Comets @2pm - there's a top-two clash in the women's seventh tier which could go a long way to deciding who wins the title. Currently one point apart with three games to go, it's pretty damn tight. Tooting Bec and Leyton Orient, in third and fourth, are still in the hunt too so it might well go to the final weekend. This could well be free entry
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 in the London area for this blog then get in touch. I also very much welcome photos of your football travels.
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