TLFG: 8-14 April 2024

Welcome to the latest edition of TLFG.

How was your week? 

I didn't see any live football, most of my focus was on a job interview I had on Thursday - hopefully I'll have some news on that one way or another in the next week or two.

My teams had a very mixed weekend.

After superb back-to-back wins over Birmingham and Swansea to pull themselves six points clear of the relegation zone, QPR lost 2-0 at home to Sheffield Wednesday who were and still are in the bottom three!

I'm heading to the THS on Sunday and you could be too - tickets

Harrow Borough are pretty much down but still managed a 2-1 win over Beaconsfield Town to keep the hope alive. 

To be fair, even if they don't make it out of the bottom four, finishing at the top of the relegation zone could be enough to stay up if someone else folds or takes voluntary relegation as was the case last season.

In the women's game, Actonians powered to a 5-2 win over Haywards Heath Town which relegated the Sussex club.

Teenage striker Tori St Clair scored another hat-trick to take her tally to 19 goals in 19 games - impressive stuff for a 17-year-old playing at this level for the first time.

I've got a fair bit of time off this week and might pop into Loftus Road for the U21 game on Tuesday before visiting relatives in Devon at the weekend.

However, I'll be coming back to take my daughter and a friend to see Spurs play Leicester City in the semi-finals of the Women's FA Cup at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

If you've not been to this fine ground, this is a great opportunity to do it at a knockdown price - my ticket was £15.

Anyway, I think that's about it so have a great few days - the football calendar is absolutely packed at non-league level because of all the wet weather postponements in recent weeks.

THE WEEK AHEAD

This week we've got matches in the Premier League, EFL, National League, Women's Super League, Women's FA Cup 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.

Donate to TLFG's coffee-drinking fund here

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

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 8 April

U21 Matches

There are a trio of matches spread throughout the day on Monday. Fulham kick things off against Middlesbrough at their training ground at 12pm, Watford host Hull City at Vicarage Road at 2pm before Crystal Palace conclude proceedings against Everton at 7pm at Sutton United's ground. Tickets should be no more than £5 at any of them. Check with the clubs before you travel for all the latest info

CCL Premier North

Hilltop v Rayners Lane @745pm - the hosts face a brutal schedule to clear their backlog of games before the end of the season. Even if it does ultimately get too much for them, they'll probably still just about stay up. Rayners Lane have been top pretty much all season after assembling an impressive and expensive squad but a points deduction for fielding an ineligible player has seen them usurped by Flackwell Heath. Still only a point behind but having played a game more, they have to win here to keep the pressure on. This match is being played at the Middlesex Stadium in Hillingdon

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Tuesday 9 April

Champions League Quarter-Final First Leg

Arsenal v Bayern Munich @8pm - it seems hard to believe but this is the first time the Gunners have made the last eight of this competition since 2010. During the same period, Bayern have been to four finals and won two to make them truly one of the super clubs of Europe. However, despite this pedigree they're not in great form this year. Currently a whopping 16 points behind Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen with six games to go and on a run of two consecutive defeats, the Bavarian giants look very beatable as they head to north London to take on the Premier League leaders. Tickets are not available

Championship

Millwall v Leicester City @745pm - can't get in at the Emirates? Then head to The Den where this second-tier match has all the ingredients to keep you royally entertained. The Lions sit precariously just two points above the relegation zone whilst leaders Leicester are locked in a thrilling title race with Ipswich and Leeds which often sees all three share top spot over the course of a round of matches - it's that close! Tickets

League One

Charlton Athletic v Wigan Athletic @745pm - the Addicks extended their unbeaten run to 11 matches with an impressive win over play-off chasing Barnsley on Saturday. It took Nathan Jones' side to 50 points which will probably be enough to keep them up. Next up they face 2013 FA Cup winners Wigan who sit just two points above them in the table and look very beatable after only one win in five. Tickets

Leyton Orient v Exeter City @745pm - nine points adrift of the play-off places with four games to go, any slim chance the O's have of going up will almost certainly end here if they don't win. They face a midtable Grecians side with nothing to play for but who are third in the form table after picking up 14 points from their last six games. Tickets

National League

Barnet v Bromley @745pm - it doesn't come much bigger than this in London non-league circles. Currently second and third in the fifth tier these two sides have been fruitlessly chasing now champions Chesterfield all season but only one of them can join them via the play-offs. To get a bye through the first round of the play-offs you have to finish second or third. Barnet look pretty secure but Bromley have Altrincham and Solihull Moors snapping at their heels so they can't afford too many slip ups in their last four games. Tickets

Wealdstone v Southend United @745pm - it's a totally different story for Barnet's local rivals Wealdstone who are in real difficulty after being thrashed 4-0 by fellow strugglers Boreham Wood on Saturday. They face a tough game against the Shrimpers who are unbeaten in 13 and would be in the play-off spots if it wasn't for a points deduction earlier in the campaign. Tickets

National League South

Dartford v Worthing @745pm - the Darts pulled off a vital away win at Havant & Waterlooville in their big relegation six-pointer on Saturday. The result keeps them in the bottom four but only one point adrift of safety. The visitors, on the other hand, picked up a stunning 3-1 win at leaders Yeovil to stop them winning the title whilst all-but securing their own play-off place. It looks like being a tough night for the hosts. Tickets

Hampton & Richmond Borough v Bath City @745pm - two more sides looking secure play-off spots meet at The Beveree. In this division the sides in second to seventh make the post-season and these clubs currently fill the last two spots. With the three or four sides below them all within touching distance, this is a game neither can really afford to lose. Tickets

Isthmian League Premier

Wingate & Finchley v Hastings United @745pm - we've got a bit of a David v Goliath contest here as one of the smallest clubs in the division takes on one of the biggest. Despite being one of the minnows, W&F always keep their heads above water but this year, they're threatening to do the unthinkable and get promoted! Last week they beat Hornchurch to delay them winning the title and now sit fourth after a comfortable win at bottom club Concord Rangers on Saturday. Hastings sit just two points outside the top five and will be desperate to win here so they can break into that elite group. Tickets will be available on the gate

Premier League International Cup Semi-Final

West Ham United v PSV Eindhoven @7pm - the Hammers take on reigning champions PSV in the last four of this U21 competition. The Dutch club beat Crystal Palace in the final last year and look well capable of defending their crown. This is being played at Dagenham & Redbridge and tickets should be available on the gate

Professional Development League

QPR v Crewe Alexandra @1pm - if you fancy seeing two games on Tuesday and want to visit Loftus Road on the cheap then this is the match for you. The R's U21 side will go second in Group South if they beat Crewe and they should as they're bottom of the 11-team Group North. Games like this are usually "pay what you want" with all proceeds to the club's trust

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Wednesday 10 April

Professional Development League

Charlton Athletic v Barnsley @2pm - this early kick-off provides another chance to see two games in a day. Being played at Dartford's ground, this midtable U21 clash isn't quite as enticing as some of the others above but a double's a double right? Tickets will be available on the gate

SSML Premier

London Lions v Cockfosters @745pm - there's a north London derby at Rowley Lane on Wednesday. Neither of these sides have pulled up any trees this season until now. Suddenly Cockfosters have a chance of breaking into the top five. Although 11 points adrift, they have four games in hand on fifth placed Harpenden and a total of 10 games still to play. Their schedule over the next few weeks is punishing but will they pull it off? A win here would help. Tickets will be available on the gate

Middlesex Premier Cup Final

Brook House v RB Kensington @745pm - a decent bit of silverware is up for grabs at Hanwell Town on Wednesday where two CCL Division 1 sides will battle it out. On the current league standings RBK will start as favourites. Tickets are £8

SCEFL Division 1

FC Elmstead v Lewisham Borough @745pm - a fierce battle for the final play-off spot in this division is in full swing. The hosts are the current incumbents but Lewisham are one of three teams within two points of them and they have a game in hand. Tickets will be available on the gate 

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Thursday 11 April

National League

Wealdstone v Dorking Wanderers @745pm - the Stones, along with Gateshead, have played fewer games than anyone else hence the need for another midweek fixture. It's looking like being absolutely huge too as it's against one of their main rivals to avoid the drop. Tickets

Southern League Premier South

Hanwell Town v Sholing @745pm - at the time of writing, these two are also in a relegation scrap in this seventh-tier division. The table could look slightly different after results earlier in the week but a win here would be priceless for both. Tickets will be available on the gate

CCL Premier North

North Greenford United v Bedfont Sports @745pm - the visitors have been third for seemingly ages and it's highly likely that's where they'll finish. NGU have a load of games in hand after poor weather and a great run in the FA Vase caused a number of postponements. In theory they have the players to get a play-off place but will they have the fitness to secure it? Tickets will be available on the gate

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Friday 12 April

Premier League 2

Crystal Palace v Chelsea @7pm - get your weekend underway with this attractive looking U21 fixture at Sutton United's ground. The Blues could break into the top six with a win at the midtable Eagles. Tickets will be available on the gate

Essex Senior League

Woodford Town v Sporting Bengal United @745pm - if you'd prefer a non-league game instead then head north-east where two sides who have led the division meet for a bit of Friday night football. The hosts have already secured their play-off spot and a win for SBU would pretty much wrap-up theirs. Tickets will be available on the gate

Ilford v Coggeshall Town @745pm - at the other end of the division it's approaching last-chance saloon time for Ilford who are eight points adrift of safety with four games to go. Here they play the bottom club who have already been relegated who will no doubt want to do what they can to take them with them. This is being played at Barking's ground and tickets will be available on the gate

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Saturday 13 April

Premier League

Brentford v Sheffield United @3pm - the Bees came from 2-0 down to eventually draw 3-3 at high-flying Aston Villa last weekend to extend their unbeaten run to three games. Sadly for them, all three have been draws so they're still only four points above the relegation zone. The Blades have been bottom for a while and seemingly a lost cause in many people's eyes but they managed a 2-2 draw with Chelsea and Sunday and are mathematically quite capable of staying up. Essentially this is a must-win game for both. Tickets are only available to members

Championship

Millwall v Cardiff City @3pm - the Lions picked up a priceless and unexpected 1-0 win over title-chasing Leicester on Tuesday to give their hopes of staying up a massive boost. Still only four points above the relegation zone, they've still got plenty to do. Nine points adrift of the play-off places with four games to go, Cardiff have realistically little to play for other than trying to end a winless run at The Den which stretches back to 2012. Tickets

National League

Bromley v Solihull Moors @3pm - having lost at home to Solihull in the FA Trophy last weekend, the Ravens now have a chance for some instant revenge in the league. Last time a trip to Wembley was at stake, this time it's a place in the top three and a bye through the first round of the play-offs. Both teams have accrued nine points from their last six games but the visitors seem to have a bit more momentum and will move above Bromley with a win here. Tickets

Wealdstone v Chesterfield @3pm - the Stones were sinking fast under news boss David Noble and they took the decision to sack him on Sunday after the 4-0 humiliation at Boreham Wood. His tenure lasted only 73 days. First-team coach Sam Cox took charge for a busy schedule of two midweek games. They lost 2-1 to Southend before coming from 2-0 down to beat relegation rivals Dorking Wanderers 4-2 on Thursday to keep themselves out of the bottom four. On Saturday they welcome the Spireites who have already won the league. With three defeats from four, they appear to have taken their feet off the gas. Tickets

National League South

Hampton & Richmond Borough v Dover Athletic @3pm - the hosts' lack of form finally caught up with them on Thursday night as Farnborough beat Chippenham to move above them into seventh. Now outside the play-off places on goal difference, the Beavers have got three games to turn things around and force their way back in. They won't get a much better chance to win than a match against bottom club Dover. The Kent club have been pretty abject this season and have already been relegated. Tickets

Isthmian League Premier

Wingate & Finchley v Haringey Borough @3pm - in the seventh tier we have a north London derby at Summers Lane. Located around 3 miles apart, either side of Alexandra Palace, these two have experienced very different seasons. If Wingate win this and other results go their way then they will secure a play-off spot, a superb achievement for a club which draws the smallest average attendance in the division. Haringey have had an unexpected shocker and have already been relegated - let's see if they have enough to ruin their neighbours' big day. Tickets will be available on the gate

Isthmian League South Central

Chertsey Town v Ascot United @3pm - Alwyns Lane would appear to be the place to be in the eighth tier on Saturday. The Curfews have been top for a while and they'll clinch the title with a win here, a draw could also be enough if Marlow fail to beat Westfield. The visitors stormed to the CCL Premier North title last season and won the FA Vase so a lot more was expected of them than the midtable finish they're set for. Nevertheless, they only play a few miles to the west and should bring a few fans for this derby. Chertsey have been averaging crowds of 580 this season and it wouldn't surprise me if they break four figures for this one so buy your ticket in advance

CCL Premier North

Bedfont Sports v Flackwell Heath @3pm - the biggest game in the ninth tier would appear to be this match between the sides in third and first in this division. The hosts are on an impressive 14-match unbeaten run which should see them make the play-offs. It should also mean they provide incredibly stiff opposition for the Heathens who need every point they can get to pip Rayners Lane to the title and the one automatic promotion place which is available. Tickets will be available on the gate

SCEFL Division 1

AFC Whyteleafe v Lewisham Borough @3pm - with four games to go, the Leafe are another local side who have a title win in their sights. Not as dominant as some clubs, they only have a three-point lead so a win here is vital. Lewisham, however, broke back into the top five with a crucial win at FC Elmstead on Tuesday and will do whatever it takes to hold on to that last play-off spot. Tickets will be available on the gate

AFA Senior Cup Final

Civil Service v Actonians @3pm - the showpiece event for the amateur game in London takes place at Norsemen FC in Edmonton. Founded in 1863, Civil Service are one of the oldest clubs in the world and have reached the final 10 times, more than any other club. Actonians, the men's side, have won all four of the finals they've competed in. The sides are only two points apart in the Southern Amateur League so it should be close. Admission is free so just turn up and enjoy

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Sunday 14 April

Premier League

West Ham United v Fulham @2pm - with only one defeat in five, the Hammers are just about hanging on to seventh place which would see them qualify for Europe again. The Cottagers have coasted to midtable safety this season and have little to play for coming into this. They also come into the game knowing they demolished David Moyes' side 5-0 when they last played in December so pretty much any result is possible here. Tickets

Arsenal v Aston Villa @430pm - the big game of the day sees two of the top five meet at the Emirates. The Gunners are top of the table and top of the form table so things are looking pretty good for Mikel Arteta's side. However, with Liverpool and Manchester City still snapping at their heels, they'e got to keep winning. Villa blew a 2-0 lead against lowly Brentford last weekend to lose their place in the top four so they'll be desperate to reclaim it as soon as possible. Tickets are only available to members. Hospitality packages are available from £1,630

Isthmian League South East

Erith & Belvedere v Three Bridges @3pm - if you fancy a non-league game instead then your're in luck. The Deres have had a very disappointing season after winning promotion to this level last year. With four games to go, they're seven points adrift of safety so although the task ahead of them is incredibly tough it's not impossible. It's a different story for the visitors who could confirm a play-off place with a win here. Tickets will be available on the gate 

Women's FA Cup Semi-Final

Tottenham Hotspur v Leicester City @12pm - the biggest match of the day in the women's game takes place at the THS where Spurs have made it to the final four for the first time in their history. Since taking over in the summer, boss Robert Vilahamn has done a fine job to guide his side into the top six and be on the verge of a Wembley final. Leicester are ninth in the table and were beaten in a league game recently so they'll rarely get a better chance to make it to an FA Cup Final. Tickets are £15 and I've got mine

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.

NEED HELP? 

Got any questions about visiting London? Don't hesitate to ask - be they football or more general travel/touristy queries. I do not charge for this advice like some other sites so don't hold back!

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