Welcome to the latest edition of TLFG and apologies for its delayed publication.
This is mainly down to my running of the Ealing Half Marathon on Sunday which takes up quite a lot of my time and energy (any donations to my chosen charity greatly appreciated).
I was satisfied with my time but the highlight of the morning was being given a cheer of encouragement by race founder Kelvin Walker with just over two miles to go.
He has done superb work over the years in getting this fabulous event set up and secured and I'd like to thank him here for all his efforts.
He is also a regular reader of this blog and has given me huge support and encouragement as I've produced it so a huge thanks again for everything.
With the race completed, I had ambitiously hoped to still be able to get over to Kent to watch Actonians play Chatham Town in the FAWNL Plate but it proved to be too tight a turnaround and I went to watch a bit of the third team's game against CB Hounslow & Abbots before crossing over the road and heading into Gunnersbury Park to watch the second half of the reserves' match against Leatherhead.
Sadly both of them lost but not so the first team who built on the spectacular 9-2 thrashing of Chesham United in midweek with a 1-0 win over the Chats.
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| The newly created National League Cup begins this week |
It's the second time the A's have beaten the Kent club 1-0 this season, after defeating them in the league by the same scoreline last month.
Level on points with leaders Norwich City and still going strong in the Plate, they've made a dream start to life under new manager Ollie Yazdi.
Next up they face a trip to Dulwich Hamlet for what should be another demanding game in front of a sizeable crowd - sadly I can't go.
On the subject of running, I also continued my A-Z of London football clubs.
With Arsenal, Brentford, Chelsea and Dulwich Hamlet in the bag, on Friday morning I headed north to Edgware & Kingsbury for my E.
Silver Jubilee Park is nice enough but the route from Shepherds Bush through Harlesden, Neasden and across the North Circular is not the most inspiring.
The best bit came towards the end when Google Maps was trying to send me via a route which I knew could well be waterlogged so I ended up diverting down lots of mysterious back alleys between houses and one which even took me through a creepy churchyard.
It was largely dry but by the time I finished at around 745am, but torrential rain began soon after and the bus journey back was torturous with rush-hour crowds and traffic meaning the 6-7 mile journey probably took over 90 minutes - it probably would've been quicker to run.
My week ahead is full of late shifts so I might not get to see another game for some time - I hope you have more luck.
THE WEEK AHEAD
Over the next few days we've got games in the Champions League, Conference League, Premier League, EFL, National League, the new National League Cup, FA Cup, FA Trophy and FA Youth Cup on the male side.
The Women's Super League and Championship continue, whilst the Women's League Cup gets underway and there are plenty of Women's National League games 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 30 September
Premier League 2
Crystal Palace v Nottingham Forest @7pm - the week begins with some U21 football at Sutton United's ground in south London. The Eagles are unbeaten in the three games they've played so far but sit way down in 17th because most teams have played two games more. With one defeat from four, Forest are up in seventh but the table is tight and there's little to choose between them. Tickets are £5 for adults
Isthmian League North
Redbridge v Tilbury @745pm - the highest level non-league game of the night takes place at Oakside where the new 3G pitch should ensure this game goes ahead whatever the weather. The visitors won promotion back to this division last season but have yet to really get going and could find a trip to a top-eight side like the Motormen quite challenging. Tickets are £10 on the gate
Essex Senior Cup First Round
Barkingside v Romford @745pm - staying on the east side of town we've got this local derby in a county cup. The 'Side play at Cricklefields near Seven Kings station which is only a short journey west of Romford on the Elizabeth Line. The visitors play a level above the hosts so should start as favourites. Tickets are £5 on the gate
FA Youth Cup Second Round Qualifying
There are also a couple of ties in this U18 competition on Monday with the pick probably being Walton & Hersham against Sutton United (£5 entry). In the other game, Bedfont Sports host Beaconsfield Town (£4 entry). Both games start at 745pm
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Tuesday 1 October
UEFA Champions League
Arsenal v Paris Saint-Germain @8pm - the biggest game of the week in London takes place at the Emirates on Tuesday where the Gunners welcome the French league champions. Despite all their wealth and status within the game, neither of these sides have ever won this competition. Both have made the final once but never claimed the ultimate prize. PSG are currently unbeaten and joint top with Monaco in Ligue 1 and were one of 15 teams to win their opening game in the Champions League group stage. Mikel Arteta's side are undefeated too so it looks like being an incredibly tough one to call. Tickets are only available to members but hospitality is available from £495
UEFA Youth League
Arsenal v Paris Saint-Germain @3pm - if you can't get a ticket for the game above or you do have one and want to make a day of it, then you could go and watch the clubs' U19 sides in action earlier in the day at Boreham Wood. I haven't seen any ticket details yet so check Arsenal's website on the day
Premier League International Cup
Chelsea v Anderlecht @7pm - continuing the European theme, the Blues' U21 side take on their counterparts from the Belgian capital. Chelsea lost their opening game to RB Leipzig 4-2 so they'll be looking for a big improvement here. This is being played at Kingsmeadow and tickets will be available on arrival
Championship
QPR v Hull City @745pm - a much cheaper option is an evening at Loftus Road where the R's will look extend their unbeaten home run against the Tigers to four games. It looks like being a tough ask as they've only won once this season as they've become one of the division's draw specialists. Hull are above them and come into this on the back of consecutive victories over Cardiff and Stoke. Tickets
League One
Leyton Orient v Exeter City @745pm - the O's caused a bit of an upset by holding title-chasing Wrexham to a 0-0 draw on Saturday as they stretched their unbeaten streak to four games. Still only a point above the relegation zone, a match against the Grecians should provide them with a reasonable chance of getting some more. The Devon club have only won one game more and haven't triumphed at Brisbane Road since 2016. Tickets
League Two
Bromley v Chesterfield @745pm - these two secured the two promotion spots from the National League last season with the Spireites coming up as champions. With 12 points from eight games, it is they who have made the better start and they should start as favourites against a Ravens side who badly need a win. Tickets
National League Cup
Dagenham & Redbridge v Tottenham Hotspur U21 @730pm - this new competition gets underway in London on Tuesday. A bit like the EFL Trophy, it pits lower league clubs' first teams against academy sides from some of the bigger clubs. In this case it's 16 National League clubs and 16 academy sides and it begins with a group stage. Like the EFL Trophy, it has attracted strong criticism but for its impact on the FA Cup rather than anything else. A few months ago it was announced that replays would no longer happen from the First Round onwards with this competition filling the gap instead. Under normal circumstances, most non-league clubs would welcome a visit from a representative side from a Premier League outfit but it will be interesting to see how many turn out for this. Spurs' U21s have made a pretty poor start this season so the Daggers should fancy their chances. Tickets
Wealdstone v Southampton U21 @7pm - there's also a game at Grosvenor Vale where a struggling Stones side might enjoy the distraction which this game brings. The Saints have been very inconsistent in the PL2 so they could come unstuck here. Tickets
FA Cup Third Round Qualifying Replay
Hornchurch v Leiston @745pm - after the weekend's ties, there's only one replay in the London area. Bridge Avenue on the far eastern side of town should be your destination if you want to see a bit of cup football. Suffolk club Leiston play a level below the Urchins so they did well to hold them to a 1-1 draw. Now back on home turf, you'd expect Hornchurch to progress. Tickets
Southern League Division 1 Central
Hadley v Aylesbury United @745pm - the Bricks recorded a resounding 4-1 win over Berkhamsted on Saturday to stay top and confirm their status as legitimate promotion contenders. Next up they face another one of the top four as the Ducks will look to show how good their chances of going up are. Just three points behind the leaders, it's a big match for both. Tickets will be available on the gate
Northwood v North Leigh @745pm - at the opposite end of the table, the bottom two meet for arguably an even more important game. Both come into this with no wins so far this season. The hosts had lost their opening 10 games in all competitions before finally taking a point off Leverstock Green with a 2-2 draw on Saturday. A win here will provide a big boost to the morale of either. Tickets will be available on the gate
SCEFL Premier Division
Holmesdale v Punjab United @745pm - after drawing their top-of-the-table clash with VCD Athletic last Tuesday, the hosts only managed another draw against Snodland Town on Saturday. Now down to third and with more games played than everyone else in the division, they need to start winning again to stay in contention. The side most likely to benefit from any more dropped points are Punjab who sit just one point below them in fourth. Given they've played four fewer games, they have to start as favourites. Tickets will be available on the game
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Wednesday 2 October
Women's League Cup
West Ham United v Portsmouth @7pm - until last season, this was fondly referred to as the Conti Cup as it was sponsored by Continental but that partnership has now ended. The group stage starts this week with the Hammers welcoming Championship side Pompey to Dagenham & Redbridge's ground. On paper, as the WSL side, they should win but often sides like to rotate their squads in these opening games so it could be closer than it would normally be. Tickets
Charlton Athletic v Tottenham Hotspur @715pm - the bigger game of the night takes place at The Valley where the Addicks, who currently top the Championship with a 100% record, welcome a Spurs side who are third in the WSL after a draw at Aston Villa on Sunday. Again, the squad Robert Vilahamn chooses should decide whether any kind of upset takes place. Tickets
Premier League International Cup
West Ham United v Athletic Bilbao @7pm - elsewhere in east London, the Hammers' men's U21 side continue their European adventures in Rush Green with a visit from the Basque giants. The visitors opened their PLIC campaign with a 2-2 draw at Sunderland so a wet evening in Romford shouldn't faze them. Tickets will be available on the gate
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Thursday 3 October
UEFA Conference League
Chelsea v KAA Gent @8pm - the only senior match I'm aware of in the capital on Thursday is this group stage match in the Conference League. This is the first time the Blues have played in this competition, which I suppose you could describe as UEFA's third-tier competition behind the Champions League and Europa League. After getting through a play-off with Servette, they're now in the 36-team group stage and have to play an array of opponents, many of whom they may have never faced. Gent are currently third in the Belgian league and will be one of the tougher teams they play before the knockouts which they should definitely qualify for. Tickets have sold out but hospitality packages are available
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Friday 4 October
Premier League 2
Fulham v Chelsea @7pm - a match involving the Blues tops the bill again on Friday but this time it's for an U21 West London Derby. The Cottagers run one of the best academies in the country and they've won all four of their games as they've made a great start to the season. The same can't be said of Chelsea who have won only one of their five league games and also lost to Leipzig in the PLIC as I mentioned above. This is being played at Fulham's Motspur Park training ground and you should be able to pay on the gate
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Saturday 5 October
Premier League
Crystal Palace v Liverpool @1230pm - it's another packed weekend of top-flight action in London with this the first of four games taking place on Saturday. The Eagles are winless in six and in the relegation zone as they've made a very disappointing start to the season. They're also winless in 10 games against the Reds at Selhurst Park, a run which stretches back to 2014. With the visitors currently top of the league, there looks like being only one winner. Tickets are only available to members or you can enquire about hospitality
Arsenal v Southampton @3pm - the Gunners come into this on the back of a great win over PSG in the Champions League. They're also just a point off top spot in the Premier League and haven't lost a home league game against the Saints since 1987. Like Palace, the visitors are also winless and in the relegation zone and this looks like a certain home win too. Tickets are only available to members but hospitality tickets are available from £895
Brentford v Wolverhampton Wanderers @3pm - the Bees are sitting comfortably in 12th but they've now gone three without a win and could do with bringing in a few points to build a gap between themselves and the bottom three. In bottom club Wolves, they face the best opportunity they're going to get. Gary O'Neil's side have shipped 16 goals in 6 games and have managed only one point from their six games. Tickets are only available to members or you can enquire about hospitality
West Ham United v Ipswich Town @3pm - a bad set of results elsewhere could see either of these sides end the day in the bottom three if they lose. The Hammers have only managed one win this season whilst Ipswich haven't won any at all but have drawn more games than anyone else to remain outside the bottom three. Tickets are available
Championship
Watford v Middlesbrough @3pm - at Vicarage Road we have an intriguing encounter between the two sides just outside the play-off places. There's only one point between them so it's hard to call who will prevail here. Boro have won their last three against the Hornets and are in slightly better form so they should be able to get something. Tickets
League One
Charlton Athletic v Birmingham City @3pm - after a bright start, the Addicks have started to lose their way. With three straight defeats they're now down in 13th. Big-spending Birmingham, who have just come down from the Championship, have already opened a five-point lead at the top and have a game in hand on nearest rivals Wrexham. They've also won here once already this season in the EFL Cup and it's hard to look past them repeating that feat here. Given how big a game this is, tickets are only on restricted sale to people who already have a Charlton ticketing account
National League
Barnet v Boston United @3pm - five wins in a row have seen the Bees move two points clear at the top. With 25 goals they're also top of the scoring charts too so the visit of a struggling Pilgrims side must have fans' mouths watering. The visitors haven't played at this level since 2002 and they're going to have to up their game soon if they don't want to relinquish their fifth-tier status in quick time. Tickets
National League South
Enfield Town v Weymouth @3pm - my game of the day in the sixth tier is this six-pointer between two sides in the bottom four. The Towners are playing their first season at this level after winning the Isthmian Premier play-offs last season and they've found the step up tough. With two wins from 10 games, they're three points adrift of safety. Weymouth made a dreadful start, losing their first seven but with four points from their last two, their form is improving. Tickets
FA Trophy Third Round Qualifying
If you're unfamiliar with it, this is a national knockout competition for clubs in the fifth to eighth tiers with its final at Wembley. This is the final qualifying round and it's when we see seventh-tier clubs enter the draw. There are a number of ties across London, here are my top three:
Chertsey Town v Billericay Town @3pm - the Curfews are new to the seventh tier following their promotion at the end of last season but they haven't quite got going yet. However, they're doing really well in the FA Cup and they'll hope to do well in this too. With Billericay second in the Isthmian Premier, they've landed a tough draw but with home advantage they could make it through. Tickets
Dartford v Dulwich Hamlet @3pm - although not setting the division alight just yet, these are two of the biggest clubs in the Isthmian Premier with average crowds of over 1,000. Both have suffered relegation from the National League South over the last couple of years and both are looking to get back up. The Darts made it to the final back in the '70s whilst the Hamlet haven't made it beyond the quarter-finals, something they last achieved in 2017. Tickets
Hadley v Carshalton Athletic @3pm - for me, the most interesting tie that could produce an upset is this one at Brickfield Lane. The hosts are currently top of their eighth-tier division whilst the Robins are a midtable side from the level above. With wins over Grays Athletic and Ipswich Wanderers in the previous rounds, this is the furthest the Bricks have ever been in the FA Trophy so they're breaking records already. Tickets are £10 on the gate
SCEFL Groundhop
For ninth and tenth-tier action look no further than this fine event. Actually beginning on Friday night at Snodland in Kent, the organisers have managed to arrange for three games in this league to be staggered over the course of Saturday so you can see all of them
Meridian VP v Tooting Bec @11am - first up we have this 10th-tier game at Charlton Park Lane. Both sides are in the bottom four so it's an important game for both, even at this early stage. The hosts have yet to win a game and are rooted to the bottom of the table. If you've got tickets to the big game between Charlton and Birmingham at 3pm, why not pop down for this first? Tickets will be available on the gate - I'm not sure of the price but it should be under £10
Fisher v Faversham Town @3pm - with the first match finishing around 1pm, you'll have around two hours to make the journey west to Rotherhithe for game number two. Salter Lane is one of the most iconic non-league grounds in London with its famous Canary Wharf backdrop. In contrast to the Meridian game above, this is a battle between two of the top six in the division above so there's plenty riding on this too. Tickets will be available on the gate and there's a competition to see who can turn up wearing the most 'obscure football shirt' - the winner receives a £25 gift card
VCD Athletic v Larkfield & New Hythe @7pm - in the final game of the day, SCEFL leaders VCD could potentially extend their lead at the top to 10 points if they win here and other results go their way. The visitors are in the top five themselves so this looks like a blockbuster to end the hop with. Tickets will be available on the gate too
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Sunday 6 October
Premier League
Chelsea v Nottingham Forest @2pm - back in the top four in the league, cruising in the EFL Trophy and off to a winning start in the UEFA Conference League, things are looking pretty good for the Blues right now. However, they're not looking too bad for Forest either. With only one league defeat so far, they're in the top 10 and more than holding their own with last month's win over Liverpool at Anfield the highlight. Since returning to the Premier League two years ago, they've also taken four points from their two trips to Stamford Bridge so they look like being tricky opponents. Hospitality tickets are available
SCEFL Premier
Sutton Athletic v Tunbridge Wells @3pm - the SCEFL Groundhop continues with two more games on Sunday but this is the only one within the M25. If results go against them on Saturday, then the hosts could come into this game in the relegation zone. The visitors are in midtable so should start as favourites. Tickets will be available on the gate
Women's Super League
Arsenal v Everton @2pm - if you've never been to the Emirates Stadium before then this is a very cost effective opportunity to do so. With only two games played, it's still very early days but with one win and one draw, the Gunners are fourth. The Toffees were expected to struggle this season and sadly they've lost both games and only goal difference is keeping them out of the relegation zone. They did, however, beat Newcastle on penalties in the League Cup in midweek. Tickets
Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool @215pm - these two emerged as growing powers in the women's game last season, finishing in sixth and fourth respectively. Spurs even made it all the way to the FA Cup Final. It will be really interesting to see if they can push on this season. Both are undefeated coming into this but it's Tottenham who've made the better start and they're in the top three. This is being played at Leyton Orient and tickets will be available on arrival
Women's Championship
Charlton Athletic v Sunderland @2pm - both of these clubs were heavily involved in the title race last season before Crystal Palace ultimately triumphed. The Addicks have started really strongly again and are three points clear already after becoming the only team to win all four of their fixtures. The Mackems, however, have not been so impressive and they're down in eighth having suffered two defeats - in a small division with only one team getting promoted, every point really counts. This is being played at The Valley and tickets are available
London City Lionesses v Portsmouth @2pm - a lot has been made of the large investment that's been made in LCL by Michelle Kang but their start to the campaign has been a bit hit and miss. Already five points behind the leaders, they've got work to do if they want to catch up. Pompey are new to the division following promotion but they're clearly demonstrating how big the gulf between divisions is in the women's game as they've lost all four and got thrashed by West Ham in the League Cup in midweek. This is being played at Bromley and tickets are available
FAWNL Southern Premier
AFC Wimbledon v Hashtag United @2pm - the first season I committed to watching Actonians (2022/23), these two battled each other hard for the Division 1 South East crown. The Tags won that year and then the Dons followed them up last season. Hashtag have thrived in the third tier, finishing as runners-up in 2023/24 and winning the League Cup - they come into this game as league leaders. Wimbledon haven't made such an explosive impact on the division but they're doing okay and should be able to make a game of it. This is being played at Raynes Park Vale and tickets can be bought in advance or on the gate for £7
FAWNL Division 1 South East
Dulwich Hamlet v Actonians @2pm - the MOTD in the fourth tier takes place at Champion Hill in south London. I have several friends who are Hamlet fans and I've got a lot of time for the club so I've been looking forward to/dreading this match in equal measure. The hosts are new to this division following promotion and get really decent crowds (over 800 on opening day) so the atmosphere should be good. So far they've won three and lost three to stabilise themselves in midtable. As regular readers know, the A's have had a staggeringly good start and come into this level on points with leaders Norwich City. The last time these two played here a couple of seasons ago in a cup match, Actonians won 2-0 and I'd be delighted with that but a point will do me just fine. Tickets are available in advance or on the gate for £5
L&SE Women's League Premier Division
SL Benfica v Fulham @2pm - as their name suggests, the hosts are affiliated to their illustrious namesakes in Lisbon and their players, to the best of my knowledge, are mainly from Portuguese backgrounds. They pipped Brentford to the title in their sixth-tier division last season and have made a solid start to life at this level, sitting sixth at the time of writing. The Cottagers finished behind Dulwich Hamlet and Dartford in the title race last season and with three wins from three and a huge goal difference already, they look likely to challenge again. This is being played at Rectory Park in Northolt
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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