Greetings one and all and welcome to the latest edition of TLFG.
My work schedule is heavy this weekend so I'm putting something out early so you can plan your week.
It's fairly comprehensive with full match maps and previews up until Friday - I'll try to get some weekend previews up by Thursday.
As some of you know, I work on the railway and I'm sad to report that over the last three days I've had to file two police reports about disorder committed by youths against other passengers on my trains.
To put it in context, I've probably only involved the police three times in the previous 12 years.
Things have been pretty rubbish in England over the last couple of weeks and although there were great shows of unity on Wednesday, it's clear we're not out of the woods yet.
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| Bromley play AFC Wimbledon twice this week |
Hopefully today's shift will be less eventful but with high temperatures, alcohol and a number of large events taking place, not least several big football matches - who knows what will happen.
QPR and Harrow Borough both began their seasons on Saturday.
The R's took the lead against West Bromwich Albion before losing 3-1 - no disgrace as the Baggies are a decent side.
The Boro, on the other hand, began life in the eighth tier following their relegation against Ashford Town (Middlesex).
It turned out to be a dramatic afternoon which saw Harrow have a player sent off shortly before half-time.
Despite this setback, they took the lead early in the second half but then saw their goalkeeper sent off.
With no replacement on the bench, an outfield player went in goal and they survived the remaining 35-40 minutes to hang on for a memorable 1-0 win.
If that isn't a performance of the day contender, I don't know what is!
Next up they face Ashford United, from Kent, in the FA Cup.
I haven't seen a live match for over a month now but hopefully next weekend I'll get a chance.
THE WEEK AHEAD
This week the Premier League begins, the EFL Cup and FA Youth Cup get underway and we've also got the next round of the FA Cup as well. On Sunday, many of the capital's women's clubs start their seasons too.
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
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 12 August
Isthmian League Premier
Carshalton Athletic v Wingate & Finchley @745pm - the Robins finished slap-bang in the middle of the table last season, well short of the play-off places and even further clear of the relegation zone. On Saturday they began their season with solid 1-1 draw at Folkestone Invicta. On Monday night they face one of the smallest clubs in the division but one which made the play-offs last season. In their first game, Wingate carried on their fine form by beating Dulwich Hamlet, one of the biggest clubs in the division, 3-2 so they should provide tough opposition. Tickets
ECL Division 1 South
Newbury Forest v May & Baker @745pm - one of the easiest grounds to get to in London, it sits next to Barkingside Tube station, Oakside went 3G over the summer, meaning postponements should be few and far between this season. Tenants Newbury Forest have already played three games but have only accrued three points so they could do with an improved performance against fellow east London club M&B who have made a more positive start. Tickets will be available on the gate
FA Youth Cup Extra Preliminary Round
Hendon v Hillingdon Borough @730pm - the country's most prestigious U18 cup competition gets underway in London on Monday with this tie at Silver Jubilee Park. I don't have much more to add as I'm not an expert on this level of youth football but with three divisions separating the senior teams, you'd have to think the hosts will start as favourites
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Tuesday 13 August
Professional Development League
If you're looking to do something with the kids on the cheap or want to see two games in a day then there are two U21 matches happening at lunchtime. QPR are playing Coventry City at Loftus Road at 1pm (entry is usually by donation to the club's trust) whilst Millwall host Burnley at The Den at 2pm - see the club's website for ticketing details, I think it's usually £5
EFL Cup First Round
Watford v MK Dons @745pm - the League Cup also gets underway this week. The highest-ranked side to be hosting a game in this area are Championship club Watford. I listened to a podcast the other day where a well-respected pundit gave the opinion that he really feared for the Hornets this season but they went and won their opening game at Millwall. MK Dons play two levels below but are one of the better sides in the fourth tier and given they play a few miles up the M1, this is effectively a derby. Tickets
Charlton Athletic v Birmingham City @745pm - both sides had disappointing campaigns last season. The Addicks looked in danger of slipping into League Two until Nathan Jones arrived and steadied the ship. Sadly managerial changes proved to be disastrous for the Blues who ended up losing their Championship status meaning these two are now in the same division. Tickets
Leyton Orient v Newport County @730pm - the O's looked like they might push for a League One play-off place at one point last season but had to settle for midtable in the end. On Saturday they had a tough start against Bolton, who did make the post-season, and lost 2-1. Welsh club Newport ended 2023/24 on a terrible losing run in League Two and opened with another defeat on Saturday. The hosts would appear to be favourites. Tickets
Bromley v AFC Wimbledon @745pm - possibly the most eye-catching tie of the night is this south London derby between a couple of League Two sides. The Ravens are playing in the fourth tier for the first time after winning promotion from the National League and they started with a win at Harrogate on Saturday. The Dons also picked up three points against Colchester and the two will play again at Hayes Lane on Saturday in the league. Tickets
Isthmian League Premier
Cray Wanderers v Cray Valley PM @745pm - there are a large number of non-league games on Tuesday and this south-east London derby instantly stands out. The hosts are London's oldest club and this will be the first competitive game at their new ground. They started the season with a decent 2-0 win at Hashtag United. CVPM won the Isthmian League South East to step up to this level for the first time. They lost their first game 2-1 to Dartford. Tickets
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Wednesday 14 July
CCL Premier South
Balham v Cobham @745pm - 13 points separated these two at the end of last season as both finished in midtable. After two games of this campaign both are locked on three points. After time groundsharing with AFC Croydon Athletic, Balham are starting this season at Tooting & Mitcham United's Imperial Fields
SCEFL Premier
Stansfeld v VCD Athletic @745pm - the hosts are another side to have moved to a new home over the summer. They've been at Glebe in recent seasons but now have Cray Valley PM as their landlords. VCD are in the top four after winning their first two games
CCL Division 1
Staines & Lammas (Middlesex) v Belstone @745pm - in the 10th tier we've got a game between two clubs who enjoyed promotion from the 11th tier last season. The hosts, who groundshare at Abbey Rangers, were in the Surrey Premier County League whilst Belstone have moved up from the Herts Senior County League. S&L have made the better start so should start as marginal favourites
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Thursday 15 August
FA Youth Cup Extra Preliminary Round
Walthamstow v Barking @730pm - the only match of the night is this U18 cup tie at Wadham Lodge in north-east London. Barking were arguably the story of the competition last season making it all the way to the Third Round where they took Millwall to extra-time at The Den before losing 5-3. They'll be hoping to start another great run here
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Friday 16 August
Premier League 2
A number of high profile U21 games top the bill on Friday. Arsenal take on Manchester United at Boreham Wood, Chelsea host Tottenham Hotspur at Kingsmeadow whist Crystal Palace entertain Fulham at Selhurst Park. All matches start at 7pm. Admission prices vary but never exceed £5 - check the clubs' websites for the latest
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Saturday 17 August
Premier League
Arsenal v Wolverhampton Wanderers @3pm - after finishing as runners-up for the last two years, the Gunners will really hope to go one better this season. However, when it comes to new signings there haven't been many yet. Apart from goalkeeper David Raya making his move from Brentford permanent, only Riccardo Calafiori has joined from Bologna. Visitors Wolves are about to begin their seventh consecutive season at this level. Boss Gary O'Neil has been pretty busy in the transfer market but notably lost Pedro Neto to Chelsea for £54m earlier this week. The Gunners have won their last six games against the Molineux club and are 1/5 for the victory again. Tickets are only available to members and all hospitality packages have sold out
West Ham United v Aston Villa @530pm - in the day's late game, the Hammers play their first competitive match under new boss Julen Lopetegui. The east London club have had a testing pre-season with only one win from five matches and that came against non-league club Dagenham & Redbridge. Villa had their best season for years in 2023/24 and qualified for the Champions League and although they should start as favourites, they've never won at the London Stadium. Could this be their year? Tickets
Championship
Watford v Stoke City @3pm - the Hornets were tipped by some to struggle this season but they've made a fine start. Winning their opening league fixture at Millwall, they then crushed MK Dons 5-0 in the League Cup on Tuesday. The Potters have also picked up two wins from two as well so it should be close. The last time these two played in December it finished 1-1 and it could well end that way again. Tickets
League One
Charlton Athletic v Leyton Orient @1230pm - one of the games of the day must surely be this derby in the third tier. The Addicks won a tough looking opening game at Wigan before narrowly losing at home to Birmingham in the cup. The O's have done things the other way round, losing to Bolton in the league but comfortably beating Newport in the cup. The Valley isn't a happy hunting ground for the visitors - they haven't won there since 2010. Given the early kick-off, this can easily be combined with the non-league match between Bridon Ropes and Tooting Bec which starts at 3pm or the West Ham game mentioned above. Tickets
League Two
Bromley v AFC Wimbledon @1230pm - we're spoilt for choice when it comes to derbies in south-east London and it's slightly surprising that they're kicking off at the same time. The Ravens made a dream start to life in the fourth tier by winning at Harrogate on the opening day. They were then brought down to earth with a cup defeat to the Dons who they play again here. As a result of that win, Johnnie Jackson's side head to Hayes Lane with a 100% record and should be full of confidence. This match has sold out
National League
Sutton United v Altrincham @3pm - the U's fought hard after a bad start but it was not enough as they suffered relegation from the EFL last season. They began life back in non-league with a 1-1 draw at Tamworth. Alty, after several unremarkable seasons, pulled out a fourth-place finish as they made the play-offs. They started their campaign with a 1-0 win over Woking. The last time these two were in the same division was 2020/21 and Sutton took four points from the two games. Tickets
Wealdstone v Oldham Athletic @3pm - things were looking a bit dicey for the Stones last season but they pulled through to secure their place in the fifth tier for a fifth consecutive season. Interim manager Sam Cox got them to safety but he was not kept on and former Portsmouth and West Ham player Matty Taylor was brought in instead. They started with a 2-1 loss at Dagenham & Redbridge so will want to get something out of this first home game. However, former Premier League club Oldham should present a tough challenge having seen off Braintree 3-0 in their first match. Tickets
National League South
Enfield Town v Weston-super-Mare @3pm - the Towners won last season's Isthmian League play-offs to move up to the sixth tier for the first time in their history. On Saturday they will host their first game at this level so a sizeable attendance is expected. They began with a spirited performance at former EFL club Torquay United but ultimately lost 2-1. WSM also lost their opening game to Worthing but that was a real thriller which saw the Sussex club edge to a 4-3 win. Tickets
Isthmian League Premier
Dulwich Hamlet v Whitehawk @3pm - the biggest crowd of the day in the seventh tier will almost certainly come at Champion Hill where clubs with very progressive approaches to community engagement meet for the first time this season. Dulwich nicked a very late winner to see off Hendon in midweek as they picked up their first points of the season whilst Brighton club Whitehawk have lost both of their games and should be really keen to get something here. Saturday matches at this venue have a habit of selling out so you're always advised to buy your tickets in advance
FA Cup Preliminary Round
The nation's favourite cup competition got underway two weeks ago so this is essentially the second round. At this stage, the draw is made up of clubs in the eighth and ninth tiers of the football pyramid. The winners of each tie receive £1,444 in prize money whilst the losers get £481. There are numerous ties across London, here are a few which catch my eye:
Ashford Town (Middlesex) v Uxbridge @3pm - these two local rivals, who hail from either side of Heathrow airport, both play in the Isthmian League South Central. The hosts began their league campaign with a morale-sapping 1-0 loss to the nine men of Harrow Borough so they'll desperately want to bounce back from that. Uxbridge are one of the oldest clubs in this weekend's draw having first entered way back in 1873. It turned out to be their best year too, making the Second Round proper although there were no qualifying rounds in those days. UPDATE - this match is being played at Ascot United as Ashford are currently laying a new 3G pitch
AFC Croydon Athletic v VCD Athletic @3pm - the Rams are a side to keep an eye on following last season's investment by musician Stormzy and Crystal Palace legend Wilfried Zaha. They won promotion to the Isthmian League at the first attempt and will no doubt want to push on this year. They beat ninth tier Guildford City fairly comfortably in the last round but VCD could be a tougher prospect. The Vickers also play in the ninth tier but are top of the SCEFL with a 100% record and also knocked out eighth-tier side Metropolitan Police in the last round
Redbridge v Barking @3pm - there's a derby on the east side of town too. Having seen off last season's FA Vase finalists Great Wakering Rovers in the opening round, the Motormen welcome another Essex Senior League club in this round. As a result of playing a level below their hosts, the Blues will start as underdogs. The last time the teams played in the FA Cup was in 2010, Redbridge won 1-0 and it could well be close again
Epsom & Ewell v Hayes & Yeading United @3pm - since selling their ground over 30 years ago, E&E are now onto their sixth different groundshare. After a brief spell at Cobham, this season they'll be based at Corinthian Casuals. In the last round they caused an upset by beating Isthmian League club Phoenix Sports and they face another side from the same level here. H&YU suffered a bit of a surprise relegation from the seventh tier last season having been among the promotion contenders in the Southern League in the previous two years. The west London club have a great recent record in the FA Cup, reaching the First Round three years in a row between 2019-21
CCL Division 1
Langley v Windsor & Eton @3pm - if none of those FA Cup ties are doing it for you, then this 10th-tier game between two of the early pacesetters in this division might be of interest. Not only are these teams third and first respectively, they're also local rivals so it's a derby too. Langley have won all three of their games whilst W&E have played a game more but have lost once so they're on level points. It's great to see the visitors back in senior football after resigning from the Southern League midway through the 2010-11 season. Their Stag Meadow home was the first I visited on a Harrow Borough away day way back in 1989
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Sunday 18 August
Premier League
Brentford v Crystal Palace @2pm - despite being one of its smallest clubs, the Bees are about to embark on their fourth consecutive season in the Premier League. Although last season was their biggest struggle yet, they were without star striker Ivan Toney who was banned for most of it. They've achieved huge things over the last three years but avoiding relegation is still their primary objective and it's the same too for Palace who've now survived 11 years at this level. As a result, this is an important game for both. Matches between them have been incredibly close since Brentford came up with five of the six matches between them ending in a draw and we could well see the points shared again. Tickets are only available to members
Chelsea v Manchester City @430pm - the biggest match of the opening weekend comes at Stamford Bridge where five-time Premier League winners Chelsea welcome the reigning champions. Since the Blues last won the title in 2017, a gulf has opened between themselves and City with a whopping 28 points separating them last season. With former City player Cole Palmer now doing great things for the west London giants, they've always got a chance but the visitors are unbeaten in nine against Chelsea and must surely be favourites. This match will also be the first for new Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca. Tickets have sold out but hospitality packages are available from £960 per person!
FAWNL Southern Premier
AFC Wimbledon v Lewes @2pm - the season begins for many of London's women's teams on Sunday. After threatening to go up for several years, the Dons finally won their fourth-tier division last season to step up to the third tier. They begin with a tough looking game against a Rooks side who have just come down from the Championship. Given the importance of the occasion, the match is being played at Plough Lane. Tickets are £7 for adults and free for U18s
Hashtag United v Watford @3pm - the Tags finished as runners-up in the third tier last season and will look to be highly competitive again. Like their old rivals AFC Wimbledon, they too face a side relegated from the Championship. The Hornets have become a bit of a yo-yo club in recent seasons and they'll be hoping for a swift return to the second tier. This is being played at Aveley and tickets are £5 on the gate
FAWNL Division 1 South East
Dulwich Hamlet v Norwich City @2pm - the division which AFC Wimbledon and Hashtag United emerged from looks like being even more competitive than normal. Norwich finished as runners-up to the Dons last year and should have the resources to be favourites this time round. However, their credentials could receive a good test at Champion Hill where it will be interesting to see how good the newly promoted Hamlet are. No doubt cheered on by one of the biggest women's crowds of the day, the south London club could well be among the top four come the end of the season. Tickets
London Bees v QPR @2pm - after several years of struggle, London Bees now find themselves in the fourth tier following last season's relegation. With new boss Dan McKimm now in charge, lots of new players have come through the door. Pre-season has seen some fine results so it will be interesting to see how they do. After a top-five finish last season, the R's now have former Actonians boss Danny Harrigan in the hot seat and with what is rumoured to be the biggest budget in the club's history at his disposal, they are expected to challenge too. This was scheduled to be a home game for QPR but Hayes & Yeading United's ground isn't quite match fit yet so it's been switched to The Hive complex in north London. Tickets will be available on the gate
L&SE Women's League Premier
Fulham v Barking @230pm - the Cottagers are the biggest name in this fifth-tier division and it was hugely disappointing for them to see Dulwich beat them to promotion last season. Barking have moved across from the parallel ERWFL and probably can't believe their luck that their opening game in this division is being played at Craven Cottage. Tickets
L&SE Women's League Division 1 North
Brentford v Leatherhead @3pm - another team to underperform last season were the Bees who only managed to finish as runners-up in this sixth-tier division despite being the biggest club in it. With money invested to attract the likes of fourth-tier striker Ashley Cheatley from Ashford Town over the summer, failure to get promoted again is not an option. The Tanners are back at this level after winning promotion last season. This is being played at Bedfont Sports
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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